Luke Humphries lost his cool with the crowd during the Premier League Night 2 final against Luke Littler as he tasted defeat in a tight 6-5 loss.
After breaking Littler’s throw but initially missing a double, the world No. 1 turned his fury on a section of the crowd after an incessant whistler kept putting off the players.
It forced intervention from referee Kirk Bevins, who bellowed down the microphone: “Stop whistling.”
That initially had the reverse effect as the entire Glasgow crowd erupted into whistles as Littler went on to bust before Humphries landed the ninth leg to lead 5-4.
Luke Humphries was not happy with the crowd
PA
Littler managed to regain composure to go on to win back-to-back legs to win the night as he looks to defend his Premier League title from last year.
But the crowd whistles were a theme of the night, having forced an angry response from Gerwyn Price in his defeat to Humphries in the semi-final.
In a repeat of the 2024 World Darts Championship final, this was the first time the two Lukes faced off against one another in 2025.
And while the two are commonly regarded as the best players in the world – ranked first and second in the PDC rankings – they started off slowly.
A cut to Humphries’ finger just before the final seemed to affect him, particularly as it was his ‘stabilising’ finger.
Nevertheless, the former world champion made a fantastic contest of it – though stopping the Nuke is a difficult task even without any injuries.
Especially considering that the 18-year-old was in fine finishing form, even reeling out the Big Fish – a 170-checkout – much to the delight of the crowd.
Luke Littler landed victory by the slimmest of margins over Luke Humphries
PA
It was Humphries first defeat of the year in the Premier League, having stormed to victory on the opening night earlier this month in Belfast.
And the 30-year-old remains top of the table with eight, with Littler now behind him on five.
The teenager nearly crumbled at the first stage, though, having gone 5-1 down to Chris Dobey.
Luke Littler celebrated wildly after hitting a 170 checkout – otherwise known as the Big Fish
PA
However, the world champion showed incredible mettle to claim victory by winning five legs on the bounce before beating Michael van Gerwen in the semi-final.
Speaking to Sky Sports after his win, Littler said: “It was a weird final.
“We both weren’t playing well. Now and again I look up at the screen and we’re on a 90 average.
“The crowd got involved, Kirk made it worse and I missed a dart. I hit a 10 and 11 darter and that was crucial.”
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