If there’s one player on the PDC Tour who knows more about the rise of Luke Littler it’s Luke Humphries and Cool Hand has revealed whether fame has changed The Nuke.
The pair famously met in the 2024 World Darts Championship final as Luke Humphries brought Luke Littler’s fairytale run to an end.
Since, the pair have met 13 times with Littler prevailing in eight of those matches. Both men have proved they have all the talent to lead the game for the next few decades.
Despite knocking chunks out of each other on stage, the pair seem to get away from the oche and Humphries has revealed the differences in The Nuke since his global popularity.
Luke Littler is ‘a shy guy’ claims Luke Humphries
Despite his on-stage bravado, Humphries has divulged more information about The Nuke backstage and claims he’s a normal teenager.
Asked by The Guardian if Littler has changed since his miraculous run to the World Darts Championship final, Humphries said: “No. He’s still quite a shy guy, who keeps himself to himself.”
Humphries has tried to take The Nuke under his wing and Cool Hand is impressed with the way Littler has handled the pressure.
He continued: “I try and make an effort to speak to him more than he would do to me just because he’s still not in his comfort zone. But he’s doing an amazing job. There’s nothing to dislike about him.
“He doesn’t say anything horrible, he’s quite placid and down-to-earth and that’s why you see a friendly atmosphere when we play. There’s no animosity as we’re privileged to be the two top players in darts.
“I’m winning and losing finals against him and each match between us is an event. So we’re not the best of friends but we get on well.”
Littler plays either Fallon Sherrock or Ryan Meikle in his second round tie at the World Darts Championship, while Humphries is preparing for Thibault Tricole or Joe Comito.
When will Luke Littler meet Luke Humphries at the World Darts Championship?
There will be no repeat of last year’s final at the 2025 World Darts Championship as the two Lukes look set to collide in the semi-finals of the Alexandra Palace event.
Both men have been given tough draws, with Humphries likely set to face Raymond van Barneveld and James Wade before he reaches the last four.
Littler, meanwhile, is likely to come face-to-face with European Champion Ritchie Edhouse in the third round with meetings with Rob Cross, Danny Noppert, and Gian Van Veen lingering in his side of the draw.