Luke Humphries declares 'war' on Luke Littler and blasts back at critics

Luke Humphries will fix bayonets, strap on his tin helmet and go over the top on Saturday night for his own version of a classic film: Oh, what a lovely war! When Cool Hand Luke lost his No.1 spot in the world rankings to Luke Littler last month, he announced he was ready to "go to war" with The Nuke to regain his place at the summit.

In truth, the Lukes of Hazard are the best of enemies. When Humphries launches his PDC World Championship crusade against Ted Evetts, the 'war' zone will be no more raging than Private Godfrey offering the platoon his sister Dolly's upside down cakes in Dad's Army. But make no mistake: He's after Littler's crown at Alexandra Palace. Lord Nuke of Warrington has won nine majors, the 'other' Luke has won eight - and he wants to level the score.

Who do you think you are kidding, Mr Littler? "It's a bit of fun, isn't it? I don't know the word you can use to describe two of the best dart players going at it, trying to be world champion... but yes, it's war," said Humphries.

"Don't take it the wrong way: It's pretty obvious what I mean. We're both basically going to put it all on the line and try to decide who's number one. If Luke wins, then he stays there for many, many years - and if I do, then it's a closer scenario.

"It's tongue in cheek, but it's just facts isn't it? Over the last two years, all the major tournaments we've won between us tells you what's been happening and the facts speak for themselves.

"I feel like I've done incredibly well - eight major titles in an era where there's a lot of good players around and I've had to beat Luke in three finals, which is really, really tough."

Humphries, a class act on and off stage, was awarded his MBE by Prince William at Windsor Castle earlier this week, but his rivals do not always bow and curtsey. He admitted: "There are players moaning and stuff (about the Two Lukes monopolising all the big prizes), but I don't know what to say.

"We're just doing our thing. I mean, if you're not beating him, you have got to beat me. It's a hard game. At the Grand Slam we both had a 103 tournament average and everyone below us was like 98. That doesn't mean to say there's not some other player who can start playing as good as us, but you have to show it consistently."

Humphries' reign as world champion was ended 12 months ago in a shock fourth-round defeat by two-time Ally Pally conqueror Peter 'Snakebite' Wright after a verbal sparring match.

But Cool Hand Luke insists he has no regrets about his war of words with Wright, saying: "If I've got something to say, I'll say it. I'm never one to shut my mouth. Last year, maybe I just didn't need to get involved. Normally I'm not one of the people that will shy away from saying something but I don't really feel like it benefitted me, to be honest.

"It's usually better to let your darts do the talking. I don't think the occasion got the better of me - Peter just played a fantastic game. His finishing was brilliant, but I don't think I really played that well in the whole tournament.

'I know I've lost three major finals on the trot, but I feel like I'm actually playing better and feeling much more confident than I did last year."

Former PDC Youth World champion Evetts, 28, has never been beyond the last 64 at Ally Pally. He is currently ranked No.112 in the order of merit and is best known for being the first male player knocked out by a woman at the World Championship when Fallon Sherrock beat him 3-2 in the first round six years ago.