Luke Littler Responds to Dennis Priestley MBE Criticism Amid World Cup Exit

Darts sensation Luke Littler, at just 18, has faced criticism from two-time world champion Dennis Priestley, who questioned whether Littler and fellow player Luke Humphries deserved their MBEs following their early exit from the World Cup of Darts. Priestley criticized the duo for not practicing or sitting together, contrasting this with his own successful partnership with Phil Taylor, and suggested the honors were premature despite acknowledging Littler's role in raising darts' popularity. Littler responded sharply on social media, claiming he had achieved more in 12 months than Priestley ever did, though he later deleted the post. Priestley offered advice to Littler, emphasizing the importance of focusing on darts over sponsorships and safeguarding his career for the long term. Despite the controversy, Littler remains a dominant figure in the sport, having won multiple major titles including the PDC World Championship, Premier League, and UK Open within a short span. The debate highlights tensions between darts' new generation and its established legends regarding recognition and expectations.