Luke Humphries names three darts stars that strike fear into rivals

World champ Luke Humphries has dismissed the fear factors spreading through darts ahead of the Paddy Power World Championship.

The champion is heading back to the Ally Pally aiming to regain his crown. Humphries outgunned Luke Littler to win the Players Championship last weekend just a week after The Nuke won the Grand Slam.

However, the world No.1 is adamant it’s not just the big two who put a chill into their rivals heading to the biggest event of the lot. Humphries said: “When you are a Michael van Gerwen of the sport, you have got a fear factor. Even if he’s not at his best, he has a fear factor because of what he’s achieved, and he’s a big personality.

“I think at the moment there are a few players that have it. Obviously, Luke [Littler] has got it. I think I’ve got it because you’ve seen a lot of people that are not at their best against me.

“Like Dirk [van Duijvenbode at the Players Championship]. He was getting close to that winning line and then he started tightening up and gave me the opportunity to go and win the game.

“I don’t think there’s just us three. I think there’s a group of players that have that fear factor. But, in a way, I don’t think the players really look into that fear factor situation because we can all beat each other. Everyone could beat me, Luke, and Michael, and whoever.”

Humphries could become the first player in PDC history to surpass £2 million in prize money over a two-year period if he retains his crown. But it’s the prospect of making history and not cash which is the motivation.

Humphries said: “My goal is to be back-to-back world champion. If I am, then of course that goal comes with it, doesn’t it?

“I kind of get more of a buzz from winning world championships than I would from