Luke Humphries slams World Grand Prix crowd after epic Stephen Bunting comeback
Defending champion Luke Humphries made it through the first round of the World Grand Prix despite Stephen Bunting flying into an early lead and the crowd winding him up
by Felix Keith · The MirrorLuke Humphries has told darts fans to leave the football chants at home after being bombarded by Leeds United taunts at the World Grand Prix.
Humphries produced a stunning comeback to beat Stephen Bunting, who won the first five legs and had a dart at double 16 to win it. The defending champion roared back, reeling off three straight legs to level the contest at 1-1 in sets.
Having found his feet, Humphries then won the decider to get through the first round at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester. He will now play Ricardo Pietreczko for a place in the quarter-finals of the event, when he will hope the crowd changes their behaviour.
“It was kind of hard with the crowd behind you chanting football chants all the time,” Humphries said. “Let’s leave football at home, we’re at the darts now.” Asked if that fired him up, he replied: “It did a little bit in the end. I was kind of like in a negative attitude where I thought ‘You know what? I’m not going to retaliate to it all because I just can’t be bothered’. We’re here to play darts.
“I support Leeds United – everyone knows that – but let’s leave the football chants at home, we’re darts players, we’re not footballers. If I’m in a football field and Leeds are playing against whoever and they’re chanting at me, then I’ll accept it and love it and embrace it.
“I still try to embrace it, but it’s constant and we’re at the darts. If it carries on then so be it. It won’t affect me – it didn’t affect me to win that game. The crowd were good regardless of that. It’s good to be back.”
He added: “I love the banter, and I love the ‘Leeds are falling apart’ chant, but this isn’t a football arena. I know it’s all a bit of fun, but Leeds weren’t falling apart tonight unfortunately for them.”
While Humphries survived a scare to reach the next round, there was no such luck for Luke Litter, who was knocked out of the World Grand Prix in the first round by Rob Cross. Littler his six 180s but it still wasn’t enough to get past an in-form Cross.
“He’s on the crest of a wave still and playing brilliantly all year. He’s picked up trophies regularly. He’s a phenomenon,” Cross said of Littler. “The boy is absolutely mustard which makes it a big result for me. I’ve been shocking in this tournament in the past but my double starts were brilliant tonight.
“Luke has been different class all year and has beaten me more and he’ll be back, that’s for sure. This is a great win and well overdue in the Grand Prix. But it’s up to me to keep it going. This win means nothing unless I get on a decent run and go all the way.”
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky Sports deal
Sky Sports launches 'lowest price' Premier League package
£43 (was £52)
Sky has slashed the price of its Sky Sports, Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £216 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
With Ultra HD included at no extra cost, football fans can enjoy the 2024/25 season with crystal clear picture quality.