Luke Littler gets reality check as he's told he wouldn't get near darts icon

Daily Mirror

2 days ago

Luke Littler has been tipped to surpass Phil Taylor as the greatest darts player of all time, but Dennis Priestley believes the 18-year-old wouldn't be able to rival 'The Power'
Darts legend Dennis Priestley has suggested that Luke Littler wouldn't "get close" to Phil Taylor if they played in the same era. Littler, 18, has made huge waves on the darts scene since his remarkable debut at the PDC World Championship in 2023.
Following his extraordinary journey to the final at Alexandra Palace when he was only 16, Littler went on to become the youngest ever darts World Champion in January this year.
‌
Despite the teenager's meteoric rise and predictions that he could break Taylor's record of 16 world titles, 1991 World Champion Priestley remains sceptical.
‌
He even places Littler's fierce rival, Luke Humphries, above him. "I think Phil Taylor in his prime was more consistent than even Luke Humphries and Luke Littler are at the moment," the 74-year-old told OLBG.
"Phil's records tell us the whole story and he was so good that it was hard for anyone to get close to him. I think if you put a prime Phil Taylor into the current game he would be world No. 1 with Humphries in second and Littler in third."
Littler, known as 'The Nuke', is also chasing Taylor's haul of six Premier League Darts titles, just one behind Michael van Gerwen's seven. The prodigy has already claimed one title, having won it on his first attempt last year, reports the Express.
‌
However, he failed to retain his title on Thursday night, as Humphries triumphed over him 11-8 in London, avenging last year's defeat. In an unexpected twist, Humphries disclosed that it was Taylor himself who offered him some sage advice to help him defeat Littler.
"Phil Taylor has given me a lot of support over the last couple of weeks or so," Humphries shared with Sky Sports. "Phil, if you are watching, thank you. He gave me a lot of advice and that extra support."
‌
The notion of 'The Power' backing Humphries is bound to raise eyebrows, especially after the 64-year-old suggested that Littler would need to make a significant impact in the sport if he wants to surpass him.
"If he wants to carry on and win, beat my records, then he's going to have to be dedicated. And I mean dedicated for at least 25 years," Taylor told talkSPORT.
Taylor had a glittering 31-year professional career from 1987 to 2018, during which he clinched two BDO world titles in 1990 and 1992. He also won the World Championship 14 times between 1995 and 2013.
‌
However, in what some saw as a veiled jibe at the man he's trying to outdo in the history books, Littler suggested that Taylor would "struggle" in today's environment.
"He (Taylor) also won the World Matchplay 16 times, so he's won two of the big majors 16 times - it'll take some doing," Littler said on the Stick to Football podcast in April.
"It (the competition) is a lot better now. You still had Phil Taylor, Eric Bristow - it was still a good field but nowadays, I think Phil would struggle," he added. "If I can be bothered to stay around for that time (I could maybe beat his record). If I want to (continue playing), then I will."
Littler has been confirmed to represent England in the 2025 World Cup of Darts alongside Premier League winner Humphries. The duo will join forces at the event scheduled from June 12 to 15 in Frankfurt, Germany.