Luke Littler bites back at darts legend who claimed he 'doesn't deserve' MBE before deleting post

Wales Online

19-06-2025

Luke Littler bites back at darts legend who claimed he 'doesn't deserve' MBE before deleting post
Luke Littler is the youngest-ever winner of the PDC World Darts Championship and was named in King Charles III's Birthday Honours list to receive an MBE, which Dennis Priestley didn't agree with
Luke Littler has responded to Dennis Priestley's comments
(Image: Andrew Redington, Getty Images )
Luke Littler has boldly hit back at Dennis Priestly by claiming he's achieved "more in 12 months" in the world of darts than the veteran ever did.
It comes after Priestley suggested that the young darting phenom doesn't merit an MBE. At the age of 18, Littler has already become a household name in the sport with a meteoric rise. He notched up a historic win at the PDC World Championship in January, becoming the youngest player to lift the title after triumphing over Michael van Gerwen in the final.
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Now ranked as the world No. 2 in the PDC Order of Merit, right behind compatriot Luke Humphries, the rookie pro has had an enviable start to his professional career.
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Littler's achievements already include winning the UK Open, a Grand Slam title and the Premier League Darts championship, as well as his World Championship crown. But the criticism from former two-time world champ Priestley came after a surprising upset at the World Cup of Darts last week for Littler and Humphries.
Having been tipped to carry England to glory, they were dispatched with an 8-4 defeat by Germany's duo Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko in their first round. The loss was unexpected, given Humphries' success in last year's tournament, partnered with Michael Smith, where he secured the trophy against Austria's Rowby-John Rodriguez and Mensur Suljovic.
Littler and Luke Humphries are set to receive MBEs following King Charles III's latest Birthday Honours list, recognising their contributions to the sport. However, 74-year-old Priestley would hold off on such high commendations.
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Following their disappointing World Cup performance, Priestley told OLBG: "Luke Littler and Luke Humphries let their country down at the World Cup of Darts, from what we've heard they weren't sitting together or practising together.
Dennis Priestley has had his say on Luke Littler's MBE
(Image: Getty Images )
"When I was playing in pairs with Phil Taylor we practised together and sat together, we played all over the world and I only remember us getting beaten once.
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"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."
Luke Humphries and Luke Littler crashed out of the World Cup of Darts
(Image: PA )
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However, Littler hit back at Priestley's comments on Instagram, as he posted a story in response to an article surrounding the former pro's comments.
"Don't deserve an MBE but done more in 12 months than he ever did... that's what I would say," Littler wrote before seemingly deleting the post from his story.
Darts icon Priestley was a founding member of the PDC. He boasts a storied career including a WDF World Championship in 1991 and a subsequent PDC world title.
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However, Littler's swift ascent in the sport has been remarkable. The teenager has already won multiple trophies and succeeded in attracting new fans to the sport.