WIGAN, ENGLAND – The world of professional darts was rocked by controversy today as newly-crowned world champion Luke Humphries delivered a blistering accusation against his rival, teenage sensation Luke Littler, following Littler’s dramatic late withdrawal from the Wigan Open.
Littler, the 19-year-old phenomenon who took the sport by storm over the Christmas period, pulled out of the prestigious tournament just hours before his scheduled first-round match, citing “personal reasons” and “nervous exhaustion” in a brief statement released by the PDC.
However, Humphries, who defeated Littler in a classic World Championship final earlier this year, has publicly challenged that narrative. In an explosive post-match interview after securing his own place in the next round, Humphries claimed the real reason for Littler’s withdrawal is far more sinister.
“This isn’t about exhaustion. This is about exposure,” Humphries told reporters, his voice laced with frustration. “Luke Littler is a fantastic player, one of the best natural talents I’ve ever seen. But let’s call a spade a spade. The real reason he’s pulled out of Wigan is because his cheating gimmicks have been exposed.”
Humphries, known for his composed and sportsmanlike demeanor, alleged that Littler had been employing subtle but illegal tactics to gain an edge in recent tournaments, specifically pointing to irregularities with his darts.
“There’s been chatter in the locker room for a while. Little things. But in his last practice session before Wigan, it came to a head,” Humphries explained. “He was using modified points. Not just standard grip, but something else, something that was leaving marks on the board and giving him an unnatural purchase. It’s illegal under PDC rules. When he realized that people had seen it, that the whispers were about to become a roar, he didn’t withdraw because he was tired. He withdrew because he didn’t want to be scrutinized. He didn’t want to have to play on a board that we all know hasn’t been tampered with.”
Humphries’ accusation centers on the use of “sabotaged” or illegally modified dart points designed to stick in the board more effectively, reducing bounce-outs and providing a more consistent release. While players are allowed to rough up their points for grip, the rules strictly forbid any modification that can damage the dartboard or provide an unfair mechanical advantage.
“The kid has the world at his feet. He throws 100+ averages for fun. He doesn’t need to do this,” Humphries continued. “But the pressure of staying at the top does funny things. He got scared that he’d be caught and publicly shamed, so he pulled the plug.”
The PDC has so far declined to comment, stating only that Littler’s withdrawal was accepted and that they are looking into reports regarding equipment regulations. Littler’s management team has not responded to multiple requests for an interview and has only reiterated the original statement citing the player’s need for rest.
The news has sent shockwaves through the darts community. Fans on social media are deeply divided, with some refusing to believe the allegations against the sport’s young hero, while others point to a few uncharacteristic performances in recent weeks as potential evidence that something was amiss.
“This is a bombshell,” said darts pundit and former professional Wayne Mardle. “Luke Humphries is not a man who makes wild accusations. If he’s saying this publicly, it means the feeling in the locker room is very, very strong. This could be a major scandal for the sport. For Littler, the pressure is now immense. He has to respond, and he has to clear his name.”
With the PDC investigation looming and the “real reason” for his withdrawal now a matter of fierce public debate, Luke Littler finds himself in the most precarious position of his young career—fighting not just for titles, but for his reputation. The boy who captured the nation’s heart now faces questions about the integrity of the hand that throws the darts.