Darts fans demand major change to Premier League after Luke Littler's shock final loss
DARTS fans have demanded a drastic change be made to the Premier League following Luke Littler's final defeat to Luke Humphries.
Teen sensation Littler, who was the best player throughout the tournament, suffered an 11-8 defeat in a replay of the 2024 final at the O2 Arena on Thursday night.
3
3
Humphries took his head-to-head with Littler to 13 defeats and ten victories with his maiden Premier League title win.
The match enthralled darts fans, although many of them couldn't help but vent their frustrations at the four-month-long competition coming down to one final match.
One wrote on X: "Fair play to Humphries and I'm glad he won, but I really don't see the point in playing a 16-week league phase for it to come down to one game."
Another said: "Format isn't great. What's the point of dominating for 16 weeks, for it to come down to one night? [It] seems a bit forced, IMO.
"I get why they do it, you don't want the league winner to run away with it as viewings will go down. But [it] needs looking at."
And another said: "Bit weird how Luke was miles away the best player over 17 weeks and well clear at the top of the table.
"But Humphries is the champion because of a one-off game? Leagues are meant to be won on consistency, surely."
One remarked: "I think the person who is top after all the weeks should receive a trophy for that achievement.
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS
Luke Littler prize money breakdown
Here is all the prize money Luke Littler has won so far after being crowned 2025 PDC World Darts Championship winner:
World Championship 2025 - £500,000
World Championship 2024 - £200,000
Grand Slam of Darts 2024 - £150,000
European Tour - £91,000
Player Championships events - £71,500
Players Championship final runner-up - £60,000
UK Open 2023 + 2024 - £17,500
World Matchplay - £10,000
World Grand Prix - £7,500
European Championship - £7,500
(Unranked) Premier League Darts - £315,000
TOTAL: £1.43 million
"Like rugby with the playoffs [and] a separate one-off event for the top players.
"Ultimately, it will always be Luke vs Luke in the final as no one [is] anywhere near them.
Fans sing along to Luke Littler's walk-on song as darts star shares footage from stage
Humphries, 30, was over the moon with his first-ever Premier League Darts title win.
He told Sky Sports: "This one means the world to me, that was the one I was missing.
"It was the one I wanted, I have done it now.
"If I don't win another title, I am happy as I have done the three hardest ones to do.
" Phil Taylor has given me a lot of support over the last couple of weeks, so Phil, if you are watching, thank you.
"He gave me a lot of advice and that extra support."
3
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
16 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Brentford to drive hard bargain for Bryan Mbeumo after Man Utd links
Brentford may ask for a higher fee for Bryan Mbeumo after claims that he has decided to join Manchester United. The Premier League club have had no contact with United over Mbeumo and have, as yet, not even quoted a transfer value to potential suitors for the 25-year-old forward. There is therefore irritation at Brentford as to how the potential deal is now apparently being played out in public. One source said it would 'all look a bit silly' for United if a fee was not agreed after the latest reports. Mbeumo has one year left on his contract at Brentford, although it includes an option for the club to extend for a further 12 months. Thomas Frank, the head coach, has already spoken about the possibility of the France-born Cameroon international leaving this summer – but later qualified this by saying it would take 'a nice, nice amount, it is a lot' to sign Mbeumo. Despite his apparent desire to join United, Brentford also know there are other clubs interested in Mbeumo. That includes Newcastle United, who have been scouting him for several years and can offer Champions League football. There is a belief that it would cost about £60 million to sign Mbeumo, which might be too much for Newcastle. Brentford are known as tough negotiators when it comes to player sales, and there is no release clause in his contract. Last season was Mbeumo's most productive since joining from French club Troyes in 2019, with 20 league goals and seven assists as he stepped up following the sale of Ivan Toney and helped lead Brentford to a 10th-place finish.
The Sun
16 minutes ago
- The Sun
Major update into tragic case of Baby Ava who was found dead in snowy field as vital clue could help find tot's parents
A MAJOR update has been unveiled in the tragic case of a baby who was found dead in the middle of a snowy field more than six months ago. Police have discovered a vital clue which could point to the identify of the mystery baby girl, named Ava by police, who was found in a park in Little Hulton, Manchester, in November. 5 5 5 Following her discovery just over sixth months ago, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has now said it had secured a DNA profile from a piece of fabric recovered from the scene. Cops believe this could help identify someone connected to Ava, potentially including her parents, helping to "move the investigation forward." In an update today, police said: "A significant development in the investigation is the recovery of a piece of fabric from the scene, from which we have secured a DNA profile. "In the coming months, we hope this will help us identify someone connected to Ava and move the investigation forward." Cops have drafted in a range of experts to help uncover the story behind the baby girl's mysterious death. GMP explained it had called on a botanist to "determine how long Ava may have been at the discovery site", alongside an anthropologist, archaeologist, and specialists in dental and bone analysis to "establish Ava's age and ethnicity". Baby Ava was discovered by a dog walker in a snowy field near the M61 in Salford on November 20 last year. Since this discovery, cops have continually appealed for Ava's mum to come forward, adding that they were concerned about her welfare. Detective Chief Inspector Charlotte Whalley from GMP's Major Incident Team said: "We will never forget Baby Ava, and despite the challenges in the investigation, we're committed to uncovering the truth. "We are more determined than ever to find who Ava is, who her parents are, and all of the possible scenarios and circumstances which have led Ava to being separated from them. Cops still hunting for mum of baby boy found dead in M&S bag by binman "I know how heartbreaking this case has been for the communities of Greater Manchester and beyond. The support and compassion we've received has been unwavering, and we share the sadness felt for Ava as we continue our search for answers so that we can lay her to rest. "If you are baby Ava's mum, please know that you are not alone. You can contact us directly or ask someone you trust to reach out on your behalf. We want to help you.' Police have been undergoing extensive investigations over the past six months, since the tragic discovery of Baby Ava. This has included following up on "hundreds" of public tips, conducting "thousands of hours" of door-to-door enquiries, and "extensively" reviewing CCTV footage. Police said they had also collaborated with forces and agencies across the UK to try and identify Ava, in the hope of "securing justice" for her. 5 5 GMP added: "Information from the public has led us to speak with potential witnesses nationwide. "While these leads have not yet helped us identify Ava or understand her circumstances, they have allowed us to safeguard several vulnerable individuals and ensure they receive the care and support they need. "We have also trawled the national missing person database, focusing on cases involving females who were potentially pregnant and reported missing, which has helped us negate a number of individuals." If you have any information which could help police in their investigation, contact the force by dialling 101, quoting log 1319 of 20/11/24.
The Sun
17 minutes ago
- The Sun
Two women in their 20s ‘sexually assaulted' within 15 minutes as police release e-fit of suspect
POLICE are urgently hunting a suspect who 'sexually assaulted' two women in their 20s within 15 minutes — as they release an e-fit of the man. The Metropolitan Police has released an e-fit image of a man believed to be responsible for the assault of two women on March 9 in Islington, North London. The suspect is said to be a skinny man who wore a light coloured T-shirt, a dark bomber jacket and a dark baseball cap at the time of the attack. Police revealed that he is estimated to be in his 30s, according to the two victims. The two women were targeted just 0.4 miles apart while they walked the streets of Islington at around 8.40pm. The first victim told police she was followed down Cruikshank Street by a man who then sexually assaulted her. Minutes later, another woman in her 20s was walking along Britannia Street when a man approached her from behind, sexually assaulted her, and fled. No arrests have been made so far, but police are treating the two cases as linked. Police have issued an urgent appeal for witnesses who saw a man matching the e-fit on March 9 to come forward. Anybody who witnessed either of the assaults - or who has potentially relevant information - should contact 101, quoting investigation reference 01/7265403/25. 1
