'People probably see it as I'm actually biting': Luke Littler saw Dennis Priestley MBE spat as just 'banter'

Luke Littler recently received strong criticism from Dennis Priestley after 'The Nuke' lost his first match with Luke Humphries at the World Cup of Darts. According to Priestley, the two Luke's had let their country down. According to former world champion, both players had also not earned their MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire).

Littler then shared a screenshot of these statements on his Instagram Stories and commented on them in an unvarnished manner. “Don’t deserve an MBE but done more in 12 months than he ever did… That’s what I would say anyway.”

While some fans thought the Warrington player was feeling personally attacked, Littler clarified in conversation with the press that it was mostly teasing humor. “People probably see it as like, I’m actually biting, but I just look at it as a bit of banter," he said. “I love it. If I see something, then I will just comment on it.”

The altercation with darts legend Priestley does not seem to throw the young world champion off balance. On the contrary, as Littler looks forward with confidence and a touch of revenge to his second appearance at the World Matchplay, where he was eliminated by Michael van Gerwen in the first round last year.

“I’m looking forward to it and hopefully I can get my first win there. It was obviously a whole new experience. Obviously I’ve been there as a fan two or three years ago watching and supporting Nathan Aspinall."

The conditions at the iconic Winter Gardens stick with him. “But the occasion, obviously how warm it is, it’s like that near enough every year. So that’s something you’ve got to get really used to.

“And obviously the opposition was Michael on debut, which was unfortunate. But hopefully I can, like I said, get a win.”