Luke Littler bites back at darts star over comments in latest outburst
Luke Littler didn't hold back on social media as he delivered a sharp retort to veteran Neil Duff over comments he made about England's World Cup of Darts performance. Littler, along with world champ Luke Humphries, formed a dream team at the tournament in Germany but were knocked out early, following an 8-4 defeat to the hosts.
The result triggered a flurry of critiques from past players and viewers, prompting Littler and Humphries to respond fiercely. And Littler wasn't finished yet, responding again after Duff's jibe at England's downfall.
Duff had gloated on Facebook with the post: "How's England doing?" after the nation's stumble. But, when Duff himself floundered in the Modus Super Series, Littler seized his chance for revenge.
Upon Duff's 4-1 loss to Martin Thomas of Wales, Littler took to Instagram and juxtaposed Duff's mocking Facebook post with the defeat screenshots and a sneering remark of his own: "How's Neil Duff doing?".
This was the latest in a string of heated exchanges involving Littler, who earlier took aim at darts legend Dennis Priestley over comments regarding his and Humphries' MBE nominations, reports the Express.
As part of the King's Birthday Honours, the pair were awarded for their contributions to the sport of darts.
However, Priestley, a two-time world champion, voiced his opinion: "To be brutally honest, I don't think either Luke Littler or Luke Humphries have done enough to earn their MBEs just yet.
"I think in time they could've done enough to warrant it, but it feels very early; they have both won one World Championship each and are still young in their careers.
"Littler has been recognised for raising the popularity of darts, which is great, but he can still do so much more.
"If he is getting an MBE this soon, then you'd have to think he is on the right path to a knighthood; nothing would surprise me now."
Priestley's biting remark that Littler and Humphries "let their country down" at the World Cup appeared to have struck a chord with Littler more than anything.
The 18-year-old shot back in a now-deleted Instagram story, saying: "Doesn't deserve an MBE but done more in 12 months than he ever did... that's what I would say anyway. Humphries chimed in on X (formerly Twitter), posting: "Disappointing to hear a top former pro who I admired say such a damaging thing to me and Luke.
"I didn't let my country down last year, though, did I? One bad game for us, and we will be back next year to go again. Let's move on now."
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