Luke Humphries thanks Phil Taylor for ‘extra boost' after winning Premier League
Luke Humphries says a pep talk from Phil Taylor inspired him to become the Premier League champion.
The world number one completed darts' 'triple crown' as he beat rival Luke Littler in the final at the O2 Arena in London, adding to his World Championship and World Matchplay wins.
Advertisement
He joined an esteemed list as only Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson had previously won all three prestigious tournaments.
And the 30-year-old revealed chatting to Taylor – a six-time Premier League champion – helped him get over the line.
'To Phil Taylor, thank you so much. He has given me so much support,' he said. 'He has given me a lot of advice and an extra boost tonight. I'm really happy with that win.
'I'll keep it private between me and Phil. He just gave me confidence and was supportive of me. I think when you've got the greatest dart player in the world, showing a bit of support and belief in you, it makes you feel good.
Advertisement
'It's always nice when someone believes in you, but when the best in the world, or was the best in the world, believes in you it feels good.'
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Professional Darts Corporation (@officialpdc)
Humphries looked a good bet to dominate the sport until Littler came along 18 months, with the teenager's to the World Championship final kickstarting an enduring rivalry.
They are streets ahead of the rest of the field and this was their 24th meeting in 18 months, with nine of them coming in this season's Premier League alone.
Humphries revealed that Taylor's advice was centred on him rather than how to beat Littler.
Advertisement
'It wasn't anything to do with Luke. It was all about me,' he said. 'He's never going to give me advice on how to beat people. He's just going to give me advice about me.
'It's all about me. He was telling me stuff about myself, about my just believing in me, to be honest.
'I would never, ever say anything that he's told me specifically, because that's our business.
'But he's just really supportive and gave me that bit of advice.'
Advertisement
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
18 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Doctor Who finale sees Ncuti Gatwa depart in surprise regeneration
Ncuti Gatwa is leaving Doctor Who, with the character regenerating as Billie Piper during the finale of the science-fiction series. The Doctor Who showrunner, Russell T Davies, said: 'What a Doctor! Thank you, Ncuti! As his final words say, this has been an absolute joy, and the team in Cardiff and everyone who has worked on this show for the past few years, are so lucky to have been part of Ncuti's great adventure as he shoots off to stratospheric new heights.' In a statement released by the BBC, Ncuti Gatwa said: 'You know when you get cast, at some point you are going to have to hand back that sonic screwdriver and it is all going to come to an end, but nothing quite prepares you for it. 'This journey has been one that I will never forget, and a role that will be part of me forever.' Piper said of her shock return: 'It's no secret how much I love this show, and I have always said I would love to return to the Whoniverse as I have some of my best memories there, so to be given the opportunity to step back on that Tardis one more time was just something I couldn't refuse, but who, how, why and when, you'll just have to wait and see.' The final episode of this year's series, The Reality War, was simultaneously broadcast on BBC One and shown in cinemas around the UK, as well as receiving a streaming release on iPlayer and Disney+ internationally. The BBC had not allowed previews for reviewers in an attempt to preserve secrecy around the ending. Ncuti Gatwa was the 15th main lead of the show, which originally ran from 1963 to 1989, and was then revived by Davies in 2005, with Christopher Eccleston in the role. Since then David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi and Jodie Whittaker have been the Doctor, with Jo Martin and John Hurt also guest starring as mysterious versions from the Doctors past. Billie Piper, Catherine Tate, Karen Gillan, Jenna Coleman, Bernard Cribbins and Bradley Walsh have been among the Doctor's companions during the modern era. In September 2021 the BBC announced that Davies, the Queer as Folk and It's a Sin creator, would return as showrunner for a second time. Since 2023 the show has been co-produced by Bad Wolf and BBC Studios, and has been distributed internationally by Disney+, in a deal which dramatically enhanced the budget for a series that during the 1970s had a reputation for wobbly sets, primitive VFX and monsters made with bubble wrap. The current era of the show has endured historically low ratings for the series, with the most watched episode this year – The Interstellar Song Contest, which aired just before the Eurovision song contest it was modelled on – being watched by 3.75 million people in the UK during its first seven days on iPlayer. The casting of the first woman to play the role, and the first Black actors to pilot the Tardis, have dragged the show into online culture wars about diversity, which the cast and crew have pushed back on. Varada Sethu, who plays the Doctor's companion Belinda and who also recently appeared in the Disney+ Star Wars series Andor, said of people calling it 'Doctor Woke' that 'Woke just means inclusive, progressive and that you care about people. And, as far as I know, the core of Doctor Who is kindness, love and doing the right thing.' A Doctor Who spin-off series, called The War Between the Land and the Sea, starring Russell Tovey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Jemma Redgrave, is expected to air later in 2025.
The Sun
22 minutes ago
- The Sun
Two Spice Girls set to snub Mel B's 50th birthday celebrations tonight days after reunion announcement
MEL B's big 50th birthday bash in Leeds tonight is set to be a glitzy affair. But The Sun can reveal TWO of her Spice Girls bandmates are giving it a miss. 6 6 Victoria Beckham and Geri Horner will be skipping the bash. Posh is out of town for work, but Geri has turned down the invitation. An insider spilled: 'Mel's throwing a huge party in Leeds for her 50th. It's also her fiance's birthday today so it's a joint celebration and will be a real family affair. "But Geri and Posh can't make it. Posh had a work commitment she couldn't get out of. "It's a bit awkward given the reunion excitement." The Sun has contacted their reps for comment. The snub comes just days after we revealed plans for the group to reunite as Avatars, following in the footsteps of pop legends Abba. It would see holograms of Geri, Mels B and C, Emma Bunton and Victoria playing their biggest hits. Victoria, who was not part of their 2019 tour, was said to have suggested she would agree if the others did. A source added: 'Their former manager Simon Fuller is desperate to have one last hurrah with the Spice Girls and this is his latest idea. "He was the person who came up with the original idea for Abba and their digital show and he thinks this model could work perfectly for the group. Mel B is due to marry Rory McPhee, 38, later this year. It comes as Geri and Mel suffered a "frosty reunion" at Victoria's birthday last year. Geri and Mel are said to have kept their distance at Oswald's private members' club in Mayfair at the star-studded bash. A source said of the stars, who had a second No1 in 1996 with Say You'll Be There: 'Mel tried to smooth things over with Geri at the party but it didn't go as planned. "She was laughing it all off but Geri didn't seem interested in hearing what she had to say and wandered off. 'When it came to taking their group picture, Geri kept as far away from Mel as possible which was awkward to watch." Any awkwardness between the group, who split in 2000, seemed to be forgotten by the time they hit the dancefloor — where they performed their 1997 hit Stop. Onlookers told The Sun the five also sat down at a table together and talked during the evening. 6 6
The Sun
22 minutes ago
- The Sun
BGT viewers insist the final has been ‘ruined' for them as they slam detail of performances
BRITAIN'S Got Talent viewers are insisting that the final has been 'ruined' for them as they slam detail of the show's performances. BGT will culminate tonight with ten contestants battling it out for this year's No1 spot. 4 4 The winner will receive a massive cash prize of £250,000, as well as the opportunity to perform at the Royal Variety Performance. Viewers will have a chance to vote for their pick throughout the night as the show will be running for a whopping two hours and 45 minutes. Judges Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli and Amanda Holden will also be on hand to give their verdicts. The former This Morning presenter put on a racy display in a white plunging gown when she made her entrance along with the rest of the panel. YouTube superstar KSI also made an appearance tonight after proving popular amongst fans during his short stint as a judge. Bur fans have insisted their enjoyment of the show has been ruined. One said: "Stop with all the camera shots I'm getting motion sickness! Face the stage that's it!" "This director is doing my head in. So many camera changes in such a short time," added another. A third said: "Seriously BGT how many times do you want to change camera angles during acts? "Is the camera operator getting paid by the press." Most shocking moments of Britain's Got Talent's final - from Simon Cowell egging to horror injury "Don't know if ping pong pang were any good or not, couldn't see them. Camera direction once again STOP PANNING OUT FGS JUST LET US SEE WHATS GOING ON," said another fan. While another added: "Whoever is controlling the camera angles needs to calm down and realise we just want to watch the act. "One camera pointed square at the stage should do it." "Camera and stage work is shocking. The acts are getting lost in the lightening," added another disgruntled fan. Two acts are currently fans' favourites to win the competition - the Hear Our Voice choir and The Blackouts. But time will tell as it all depends on the judging public - keep up to date with our live blog here. 4
