‘It’d be nice if people stayed off my back,’ says darts star Luke Humphries as he defends Luke Littler from ‘pressure’

LUKE HUMPHRIES has told the haters and social media snipers to get off his and Luke Littler’s back.

The reigning world champion was unable to get a first Premier League victory of the year as he was defeated in the Night Three final in Glasgow by Michael van Gerwen.

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Since lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy for the first time on January 3, Cool Hand Luke has struggled for consistency and form – until winning two out of three games in Scotland on Thursday night.

Humphries, 29, has been unhappy with some snide comments online from the tungsten Twitterati.

Particularly suggestions that he broke his equipment in anger last week – a claim he furiously denies.

The media spotlight on the sport has never been greater but this means that every little issue or flashpoint is blown up – and the players are feeling the heat.

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It also means that everything that Littler does become huge news and sensationalised.

The world No1 said: “It was important for myself to play well.

“Everyone last Tuesday was saying I was written off and the worst world champion, so I just wanted to come out and play well.

“I was quite unlucky not to win and I’m proud of how I played. It was much, much better and I’m where I want to be.

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“I’m the world champion and the world No1 but this is a learning curve for me in my first Premier League year.

“I understand the pressures of being the world champion.

“It would be nice if people stayed off my back a little bit and just allowed me to go on and play.

“Not just me, Luke gets so much pressure as well and it’s tough when you are relatively new to it.

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“I just want to go out and play darts and entertain the fans and people at home.

“I’m still learning that with my status comes a lot of pressure.”

On Thursday in Newcastle, Humphries is paired with Rob Cross in the quarter-finals while Littler, 17, takes on Peter Wright.