Luke Humphries’ exit to Peter Wright was one of the surprises of the World Darts Championship so far.
The defending champion lost 4-1 to Peter Wright in the fourth round after Snakebite hit a 100+ average and over 70% on his finishing.
Luke Humphries was one of the favourites to pick up the Sid Waddell Trophy and his exit has left the field wide open.
It has been revealed who Cool Hand would like to win the tournament out of the remaining eight players.
Luke Humphries wants Stephen Bunting to win his crown
Ahead of the tournament, Humphries was practicing with Stephen Bunting to gear up for the Ally Pally event.
After his comfortable 4-0 victory over Luke Woodhouse, the 2024 Masters Champion revealed Humphries wants his practice partner to pick up his first World Championship.
Speaking in his press conference at his win, Bunting said: “I spoke to him this morning [Monday] and he wished me luck, he said he would love to hand the crown over to me and give me his World Championship.
“That means a lot. He’s a massive friend of mine. We’ll continue to practice after this tournament. I know I can go all the way, it’s about doing it.”
Bunting plays Wright in his quarterfinal clash in the evening session on New Year’s Day.
Luke Humphries breaks silence after early exit
Humphries’s loss to Wright was a huge surprise, particularly due to Snakebite’s inconsistent form in 2024, but Humphries was his usual magnanimous self in defeat.
Just hours after failing to defend his crown, Cool Hand took to social media to congratulate the two-time World Champion.
On X, Humphries wrote: “Just wasn’t to be tonight. Credit to Peter Wright, he was clinical and fully deserved the win.”
Humphries defeated Thibault Tricole and Nick Kenny in rounds two and three before crashing out to Wright.