
Being made an MBE shows I've helped ‘change face of darts'
Humphries has been given the accolade in the King's Birthday Honours along with great rival Luke Littler for their achievements over the last 18 months.
The 30-year-old has won eight major titles, including the 2024 World Championship, and set a standard that only Littler has been able to match.
Luke Humphries and Luke Littler have been awarded MBE's in the King's Birthday Honours, recognising their contribution to the sport of darts
Congratulations to both 👏
👉 https://t.co/5udZTVXafh https://t.co/4cRaHYWFUf pic.twitter.com/yIc6d7Nmeg
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) June 13, 2025
The 18-year-old is primarily responsible for opening up the sport to a new audience, but Humphries has stood alongside him.
'It's something that me and Luke have really done together,' he told the PA news agency.
'I know he's done it on a much bigger scale, and from a younger generational part of it, but I think him having someone that can compete with him, compete against him and push him all the way, it's made it really exciting for the sport.
'I think that's grown so many new fans. Everyone's talking about darts now, and I think that we're two of the pioneering parts of that.
'We've changed the face of darts over the last couple of years. It's starting to become a younger man's game. It's nice to be at the forefront of that.'
Less than two years ago, Humphries' future was in doubt after he suffered anxiety attacks, but he went on a winning spree that has turned his life around and will lead to a visit to the royal family.
'I feel really good about it, it's obviously something that was very unexpected,' he added.
'When I got the letter, I kind of couldn't believe when I opened it and it's a very proud moment.
'My mum and dad are obviously incredibly proud as well. Their son's obviously getting an MBE, which is quite a feat, to be honest.
'It usually happens later on in people's careers, but it's happened in mine pretty early.
'I feel pretty blessed, to be honest, I'm fortunate enough to get one.
'My girlfriend and my son will be very, very proud, especially my son. When he grows up and understands what it means, I'm sure he'd be very, very proud.'
A post shared by Professional Darts Corporation (@officialpdc)
Humphries was congratulated on his honour by Littler, who earlier this year became the youngest ever world champion at the age of 17 years and 347 days.
'He's a fantastic ambassador for darts and, although he's a rival, I can't wait to partner him in the World Cup this weekend,' Littler said on the PDC website.
On being made an MBE himself, Littler added: 'This is an amazing and unexpected honour, but one which I am very grateful for.
'To receive a recognition like this is something I had never thought would be possible and it is a proud moment.
'It's unbelievable what I've done for my sport. I'm happy, my family is happy and I can't wait to receive it.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Aiden Markram helps South Africa beat Australia in World Test Championship final
Bavuma fell early on Saturday morning for 66 and, though Markram was dismissed six runs short of the victory target, his 136 was the crucial innings and allowed David Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne to finish the job. South Africa's Kyle Verreynne, right, celebrates with team-mate David Bedingham after hitting the winning runs at Lord's (Ben Whitley/PA) It ends a series of agonising near misses for the five-time World Cup semi-finalists and 2024 T20 World Cup runners-up and marks the Proteas' first global trophy since 1998, when they won the Wills International Cup – the precursor to the Champions Trophy – and the Commonwealth Games. Markram told 5 Live Sports Extra: 'It's been a very long time coming, got close in the past couple of years and not been able to get over the line. 'The first one was always going to be the toughest one, the group of guys have been playing some really good cricket but it never really feels worth it until you win something. 'Because of us getting over the line today, a lot of emotions are coming out of some of the boys and they're just really proud of what they've achieved.' Bavuma had battled through a hamstring injury on Friday evening as he and Markram piled on the runs. He lasted only three overs of the fourth morning before a tame edge off rival captain Pat Cummins was taken by wicketkeeper Alex Carey. Tristan Stubbs dug in, contributing eight to a stand of 24 with Markram lasting nearly an hour before he was bowled by Mitchell Starc. South Africa's Aiden Markram, left, is congratulated on his match-winning innings by Australia's Marnus Labuschagne (Ben Whitley/PA) Bedingham settled South Africa's nerves in partnership with Markram as the pair put on 35 in 10 patient overs. Markram's brilliant innings finally came to an end when he whipped Josh Hazlewood into the leg side but was superbly taken low to his right by Travis Head. The fielder's lack of celebration suggested that the game was up and – though there was a final moment of drama when Verreynne gloved Starc through to Carey but was given not out, with Australia's reviews spent – the winning run came two balls later. South Africa's past failures at the business end of major tournaments, some of them farcical in nature, have seen the team labelled 'chokers' and Bavuma was happy to lay the ghost to rest. Temba Bavuma skippered South Africa to an emotional win (Ben Whitley/PA) He told 5 Live Sports Extra: 'While I was batting I heard some of the Aussies use that word, the 'choke' word. 'You see the elation of past greats, guys like Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers, they had that opportunity and with the greats they had, they weren't able to do something like this. 'So we know what we just did is not only for us, it's also for them. We've been etched in history, we're part of something that's never been done. 'It's special in a lot of ways. For South Africa, there's an opportunity for us to be united. We've got a cause in front of us where we can put aside our differences and live in this joyful moment as a nation.'


North Wales Chronicle
2 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Aiden Markram helps South Africa beat Australia in World Test Championship final
Set 282 to win, 70 more than had been scored in any of the first three innings at Lord's, Markram and captain Temba Bavuma put on 147 to break the back of the chase. Bavuma fell early on Saturday morning for 66 and, though Markram was dismissed six runs short of the victory target, his 136 was the crucial innings and allowed David Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne to finish the job. It ends a series of agonising near misses for the five-time World Cup semi-finalists and 2024 T20 World Cup runners-up and marks the Proteas' first global trophy since 1998, when they won the Wills International Cup – the precursor to the Champions Trophy – and the Commonwealth Games.

Leader Live
2 hours ago
- Leader Live
Aiden Markram helps South Africa beat Australia in World Test Championship final
Set 282 to win, 70 more than had been scored in any of the first three innings at Lord's, Markram and captain Temba Bavuma put on 147 to break the back of the chase. Bavuma fell early on Saturday morning for 66 and, though Markram was dismissed six runs short of the victory target, his 136 was the crucial innings and allowed David Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne to finish the job. It ends a series of agonising near misses for the five-time World Cup semi-finalists and 2024 T20 World Cup runners-up and marks the Proteas' first global trophy since 1998, when they won the Wills International Cup – the precursor to the Champions Trophy – and the Commonwealth Games. Markram told 5 Live Sports Extra: 'It's been a very long time coming, got close in the past couple of years and not been able to get over the line. 'The first one was always going to be the toughest one, the group of guys have been playing some really good cricket but it never really feels worth it until you win something. 'Because of us getting over the line today, a lot of emotions are coming out of some of the boys and they're just really proud of what they've achieved.' Bavuma had battled through a hamstring injury on Friday evening as he and Markram piled on the runs. He lasted only three overs of the fourth morning before a tame edge off rival captain Pat Cummins was taken by wicketkeeper Alex Carey. Tristan Stubbs dug in, contributing eight to a stand of 24 with Markram lasting nearly an hour before he was bowled by Mitchell Starc. Bedingham settled South Africa's nerves in partnership with Markram as the pair put on 35 in 10 patient overs. Markram's brilliant innings finally came to an end when he whipped Josh Hazlewood into the leg side but was superbly taken low to his right by Travis Head. The fielder's lack of celebration suggested that the game was up and – though there was a final moment of drama when Verreynne gloved Starc through to Carey but was given not out, with Australia's reviews spent – the winning run came two balls later.