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Daily Record
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Inside Daryl Gurney and Gerwyn Price bust up as explosive new backstage claim emerges
Darts duo were involved in feisty encounter and report says it spilled backstage Daryl Gurney and Gerwyn Price's heated bust-up spilled backstage amid claims of security-guard intervention. The darts duo had a tasty ending to their Matchplay encounter on Monday with an aggressive handshake kickstarting angst. Details of events once the pair got off stage have now emerged with one revelation that Gurney had to be held back by security as he attempted to confront Price. The incident is said to have happened as The Iceman did a post-match radio interview as Damian Vlottes, from the Dutch Darts Draait Door podcast, said: 'Gurney was literally at the door with his head round the corner. "Two security guards had to hold him back. He clearly wanted to confront Price again. He came in swearing.' Former top player Vincent Van der Voort added: 'He was ready for a nice, friendly chat! He was absolutely fuming. Still insisting he did nothing wrong, that it was all on Price. "I only spoke to Daryl afterwards. All he said was: I didn't do anything wrong. He was angry, really angry. There was no calm conversation. He made it clear he's not a fan of Price. 'But I imagine Price would say the opposite. There's so much emotion involved. I don't mind it though, adds spice to the sport. As long as it doesn't turn physical, this sort of tension has its place. "You could feel the tension rising between them. He was at it throughout, gesturing, little games. That's fine, but to blow up like that straight after the match, clearly a lot of bottled-up frustration. It's unfortunate, but at least we've got something to talk about now.' Several ex-stars have had their say on the incident which exploded in Blackpool with former World champ Colin Lloyd telling Online Darts: 'I'm not sure what happened, nor is it any of my business what happened. It's good for the game, though, isn't it? Keeps it exciting. 'In some ways, you don't want to see that sort of thing happen on the stage. You've got adults all in there, of course, but there's kids as well and then you might get the kids turn around and say: Why do they look like they're going to fight on the telly? That's not what darts is about. 'If there was a bit of a difference or whatever, go around the back, then no-one's around and have a, not tear up, but have it out at the back without prying eyes. You can even have a heated discussion. 'Yes, it is good, but it's excitement, it's something for people to talk about. The game was great entertainment. It was brilliant. Just that little bit of shenanigans at the end, but, listen, the game's got to have characters.' Gurney appeaed to be mocking Price's celebrations and Lloyd added: 'I'd have probably said something, yeah. I wouldn't have been able to help myself, but I don't know. "I just tended to shake their hand, laugh about it a little bit and then there'd probably be a few obscenities behind the scenes. 'You have to have something. You can't just go up there, throw, wave at everyone and walk off. I like that Daryl, as well as Gezzy, show emotion. "I like it that all the players show emotion, because I think it is good for the game. It fires you up. The fans want to see it. They want to see you fired up. 'They want to see you not roll over like a little dog in, roll over and get your belly tickled. They want to see some fireworks, want to see some antics.'
Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Luke Humphries & Luke Littler learn opponents in first round of World Matchplay
Luke Humphries and Luke Littler have learned their opening opponents in the World Matchplay, with a major all-Dutch battle in round one between Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld Luke Humphries begins his defence of the Betfred World Matchplay crown with a booby-trap on the Golden Mile. Cool Hand Luke became only the fourth player to rule at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool and win the PDC World Championship in the same year, after Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Peter Wright, when he beat MVG 18-15 in a thrilling final 12 months ago. But world No.1 Humphries faces a major test in the first round against rising Dutch star Gian van Veen when the tournament opens on July 19. And 18-year-old world champion Luke Littler would have an easier ride on the resort's famous Big One rollercoaster than his opening tie against Ryan Searle. Littler is the tournament favourite with the host sponsor. With £200,000 to the winner, and the 2,000-plus venue sold out for every session since February, the World Matchplay is regarded as the biggest competition outside the annual fancy dress convention at Alexandra Palace. Humphries, who won last month's US Darts Masters at New York's iconic Madison Square Garden, told Online Darts: 'I'm all about retaining titles - I didn't get to retain my world title but you want to go back-to-back and all eyes are on Blackpool. 'I feel like I'm one of those players who can turn it round if I'm playing badly, but to go into World Matchplay with a title under my belt in New York can only be good for my confidence. I've got to the stage now where I don't think too much into it - but I can't wait.' Van Veen, up to No.22 in the order of merit and rising, was the PDC Youth world champion last year and reached the European Championship semi-finals two years ago. The first round draw also includes a double-Dutch blockbuster between three-times champion Van Gerwen and 58-year-old legend Raymond van Barneveld. Draw in Full (1) Luke Humphries v Gian van Veen (16) Danny Noppert v Cameron Menzies (8) Nathan Aspinall v Wessel Nijman (9) James Wade v Joe Cullen (4) Stephen Bunting v Ryan Joyce (13) Gary Anderson v Luke Woodhouse (5) Jonny Clayton v Martin Schindler (12) Dave Chisnall v Mike De Decker (2) Luke Littler v Ryan Searle (15) Peter Wright v Jermaine Wattimena (7) Damon Heta v Andrew Gilding (10) Rob Cross v Dirk van Duijvenbode (3) Michael van Gerwen v Raymond van Barneveld (14) Ross Smith v Josh Rock (6) Chris Dobey v Ricardo Pietreczko (11) Gerwyn Price v Daryl Gurney
Wales Online
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Luke Humphries going to hospital and will miss tournament after fan injures him
Luke Humphries going to hospital and will miss tournament after fan injures him Luke Humphries was left in agony before he had even thrown a dart at the US Darts Masters - and will now have an X-ray after playing through the pain barrier to win the title Luke Humphries (Image: Darts ) Luke Humphries pushed through intense discomfort to triumph at the US Darts Masters, despite a rocky start to the tournament that saw him injured before his initial game in New York's Madison Square Garden. The reigning world No. 1 had an unfortunate incident during his entrance as he prepared to face Stowe Buntz in the opening round, injuring his thumb when an eager fan accidentally yanked it back. Cool Hand Luke managed to win that match and continued his streak by defeating American Danny Lauby, following which he impressively overpowered Gerwyn Price in the semi-finals with a 7-2 victory. He then went on to clinch the title against Nathan Aspinall in the final, securing an 8-6 win even though he was still dealing with considerable pain. Before taking on the final, Humphries expressed his determination to Online Darts, stating: "When I was in the final, I said to my family, 'I'm going to give it everything, if I injure my hand in the final, it doesn't matter.' I tried my best, and thankfully, it was good enough." The darting champion is set to take a short break, with plans to rest for several weeks ahead of his participation in the European Tour's Baltic Sea Open scheduled for mid-July. This event is just before he defends his World Matchplay title, reports the Express. Reflecting on his injury, Humphries described his thumb as particularly swollen, noting the difficulty experienced while playing due to issues with grip. Article continues below He explained, "It's hard to play through; I was struggling with the grip. I couldn't hold my thumb in the same position." Consequently, he will be absent from the forthcoming World Series event in Poland starting this Friday. "I don't want to make it all about that because I've won the title, I don't want the headlines to be about me and an injury. But the guy, when he pulled my hand back, he really hurt it. I'm going to have to go home and get it X-rayed. "I don't think it's broken because it doesn't hurt to squeeze it. I've got a couple of weeks off now. The next time I play will be in Kiel [at the Baltic Sea Open]." Despite his injury, Humphries was elated to secure victory at such a prestigious venue. He shared: "This is the most iconic venue that we play in and it's really special to win this event. It's one of the top venues in the world and it's one I've always dreamed of winning. When I finally won it tonight, it was an amazing relief. Article continues below "Once I knew I was in a winning position, I started getting nervous - I'm really pleased to win and I'm over the moon. It's another massive event ticked off for me. "I've won World Championships, World Matchplays, Premier Leagues and these big titles and it felt like I'd won another major. That's how big it is. It's very special and you could see my relief at the end. "This was the one on the World Series that I really wanted to win. The crowd have been absolutely amazing this week, and to have my mum and dad here to see me win again means the world to us all."
Daily Mirror
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Humphries going hospital after fan injured him during US Darts Masters walk-on
Luke Humphries suffered an injury scare during his victorious US Darts Masters campaign after his thumb was pulled back by an over-enthusiastic fan Luke Humphries will make a hospital trip after being injured by a fan at the US Darts Masters. The world No.1, returning to action after he and Luke Littler fell at the first hurdle at the World Cup, played through the pain barrier at New York's Madison Square Garden after a bizarre incident ahead of his first-round match against Stowe Buntz. During his walk-on, Humphries was left in pain after the thumb on his throwing hand was yanked back by an overzealous fan. The former world champion still came through that match before beating Danny Lauby in the quarter-finals. Cool Hand then thrashed Gerwyn Price 7-2 in the last four before seeing off Nathan Aspinall 8-6 in the final, despite the continuing discomfort, which will see him getting the digit X-rayed before he returns to action. Fortunately, Humphries was already planning to take a couple of weeks off, which will see him miss the next World Series event in Poland. He told Online Darts: 'My thumb is incredibly swollen. It's hard to play through; I was struggling with the grip. 'I couldn't hold my thumb in the same position. I don't want to make it all about that because I've won the title, I don't want the headlines to be about me and an injury. But the guy, when he pulled my hand back, he really hurt it. I'm going to have to go home and get it X-rayed." Before the final against Aspinall, he made it clear to his family that he intended to leave everything out on the oche. He added: 'When I was in the final, I said to my family, 'I'm going to give it everything, if I injure my hand in the final, it doesn't matter.' I tried my best, and thankfully, it was good enough. 'I don't think it's broken because it doesn't hurt to squeeze it. I've got a couple of weeks off now. The next time I play will be in Kiel [at the Baltic Sea Open].' His injury aside, Humphries was proud to lift the trophy at such an illustrious venue. He said: "It's one of the top venues in the world and it's one I've always dreamed of winning. When I finally won it tonight, it was an amazing relief. "I've won World Championships, World Matchplays, Premier Leagues and these big titles and it felt like I'd won another major. That's how big it is. 'It's very special and you could see my relief at the end. This was the one on the World Series that I really wanted to win. The crowd have been absolutely amazing this week, and to have my mum and dad here to see me win again means the world to us all." Humphries sportingly paid tribute to runner-up Aspinall, saying: "Nathan is such a credit to the sport and you can see that with the amount of support he got from the crowd. "Nathan is so gritty and determined, he came back at me and made it hard for me but he missed two darts to go seven-all and gave me a chance. It's nice to see him back playing the way he can - he makes me want to be better and we always seem to have really good games."
Daily Record
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Luke Littler makes bold World Cup venue call after savage boos in Frankfurt
The World Champion hopes for a change in the future after being hounded in Frankfurt Luke Littler says he hopes the Darts World Cup venue is moved after he suffered savage flak in Frankfurt. The Wold Champion and his team-mate Luke Humphries was hounded by home fans during their nightmare opening-game loss to hosts Germany. Littler says the overreaction to defeat was crazy with accusations of lack of togetherness between the England duo and legend Dennis Priestley stating the pair had let their country down. The Nuke had his say on the matter during build-up to the US Darts Masters and, speaking to Online Darts, stated: 'Crazy. Didn't turn up at the same time, didn't sit next to each other but I'm sure I saw Luke's interview before we do our own thing, I don't want to go to the venue four and a half hours before. That's how much time he needed. For myself I need two and a half hours. We didn't click but I'm sure we will be back again. 'Germany played two group games, they were ready. But for myself, totally new stage, atmosphere. We knew what was coming. It didn't happen. But let's hope they move venues.' Littler's reaction came in the wake of colleague Humphries also taking time to give reasons behind the preparation and the notion that there was anything sinister in the fact the English dup didn't sit or practice together. Cool Hand said: 'There was a lot of talk about me and Luke not being a team. Coming from the horse's mouth, I can assure you we were a team. We didn't arrive at the same time because I said not to. I told Luke: Do your own thing. He gets there two hours before, I get there four. I need more practice, he doesn't. I said to Luke just do what you do, don't change for me. "We sat right by each other. He sat right beside me. So that stuff about not being a team was not true. We get along really well. It just didn't happen and that's it. That was the whole agreement. We didn't play horrifically, it just wasn't our best.' Littler is hoping to land the prize in New York and said: 'Obviously, I want to pick up another World Series title before the Finals, but the Matchplay, it didn't go to plan last year. The crowd last year were unbelievable. 'I've come a long way. There's still so many years. But the opportunities I'm getting at the minute coming to Madison Square Garden, it's unbelievable. It's growing in the States but I'm sure we will fill this in a few years to come. 'Last year was more of let's go and win the European titles, win the ProTour titles, the Premier League. I just wanted to say to everyone who said it was a fluke, shouldn't be ready for the Premier League and went onto win it. This year has been good so far, the Premier League didn't go to plan. Can settle and look forward to the second half of the year.'
