Luke Littler has taken the darting world by storm since bursting onto the scene (Image: Getty)
One Ally Pally ace believes doesn’t get the credit he deserves because is hogging the limelight.
Ryan Meikle is gearing up for a meeting with The Nuke on Saturday night, with the Englishman having beaten Fallon Sherrock in the competition’s opening round.
Littler is the runaway favourite to take the Sid Waddell Trophy, but Meikle insists the gap between him and Humphries is much closer than people realise.
Speaking at the event in north London, Meikle stated: “I don’t look at it and think he’s 17-year-old. I just think how good he is, and I’ll probably admire him up there.
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“Him and Luke Humphries, I love. I know he [Humphries] probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves for being world champion, and I think he knows that, but I think they’re both on par.”
It’s a debate neither Humphries nor Littler are any strangers to, with the former himself speaking out about the disproportionate coverage the pair receive ahead of the Worlds.
, he said: “The only thing I’d find is maybe over the last 12 months, I don’t see any UK sportsperson that’s dominated a sport and nearly done everything.
“It’s more done on personality though, it’s not about your achievements. It doesn’t bother me too much, but I’ll go and I’ll be supporting him and if he wins it’s good for the sport.”
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Luke Humphries has spent 2024 as the world No.1 (Image: Getty)
Littler ended up falling short in the SPOTY rankings, with .
However, the teenage sensation could go some way to enhancing his chances of victory for the 2025 edition with a victory at the Alexandra Palace in early January next year.
His campaign starts this weekend against Meikle, who is well aware of what to expect when he comes up against Littler on Saturday.
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When quizzed on the media circus surrounding Littler, Meikle replied: “100 per cent – there’ll be millions tuning in just to watch his game and I’m going to be a part of it. I’m going to feel honoured just to be up there with him.
“Obviously I need to play a lot better than I did [in the first round] but being up there once now – the first round is always the hardest.
“Hopefully, I’ll relax a bit more and play my best game. I’m living the dream and it’s the most amazing feeling.”