“Gary Anderson is everybody’s idol" - Luke Humphries pays tribute to Scottish darting legend amid Ally Pally resurgence

Luke Humphries spoke after his 4-1 win over Kevin Doets with a mix of satisfaction and hunger.

The 2024 world champion booked his place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship with an impressive victory, but he was clear that the job is nowhere near finished. One point, in particular, came through again and again: this level will not be enough if he wants to lift the trophy again.

“It was a strong win,” Humphries said. “The start of the game was a good precedent for what happened, and I carried it on.”

He felt his opening set was close to perfect, but he also praised Doets for the standard he brought early on. “I think Kev carried on from his game against Nathan, and if he carries on like that, he’s going to win,” Humphries said. “He was unbelievable. I said, ‘OK, well, you’ve played well there. If he carries that on, you’re just going to shake his hand and say, ‘Fair play.’’”

Humphries said he felt in control early, not because everything clicked, but because he stayed steady over the long format. “There were a couple of moments where I dropped off a little bit, silly scores, but you can’t be too critical in a long format,” he explained. “You’re going to have moments where you’re up and down.”

At 3-1 up in sets, there was no panic, even with memories of matches where a big lead can still be tested. “No, it’s not in the back of your mind, but those scenarios give you good experience,” he said. “You think, ‘OK, I’m 3-1 up. Come into this fifth set and really just blow him away and end the game as quick as you can.’”

He did not claim it was a demolition in the fifth, but he felt he played it smartly and capitalised on the openings he was offered. “He gave me opportunities,” Humphries said. “And obviously the 118, when that goes in, I’m thinking, ‘Yeah, you’re in prime position now. You’re going to have two throws to win this set.’”

The numbers are strong. Humphries is averaging over a ton across the tournament. But his assessment of his own form was blunt. “It’s at a level that’s decent, but I don’t think it’s at a level that will win the tournament,” he said.

He also suggested the standard required now is higher than during his previous title run. “A lot’s different from the time I won it before,” Humphries said. “I could coast through a few games here and there. Quarters and semis I did in 2024. This time I don’t get that. So I’m going to have to perform at my best now if I want to go on and win it again.”

Looking ahead, he knows there is no margin for error. “I’m going to have to be at the best of my abilities if I want to win this tournament,” he said.

Humphries’ quarter-final against Gian van Veen comes with an obvious edge: van Veen has beaten him four times this year. Humphries did not hide the significance, but he also framed it in the only way that matters at Ally Pally. “If I win this one, then the ones I lost before don’t matter,” he said. “If you offered me: you win the one in the World Championship and you lose the other three, I’d take the win in the Worlds because it gives you the opportunity to be world champion again.”

He described their previous meetings as extremely fine margins. “The games we’ve played before have been really tight,” Humphries said. “This is a long format, something I’m experienced in as well. It doesn’t mean I’m going to beat him, but it plays into my favour a little bit. I know I’ve got a tough game to win there.”

Afterwards, Humphries looked energised by the performance, and he said it felt good to put in a steadier showing than in some of his recent stage outings. “It was nice to be a little bit more consistent,” he said. “It’s been a bit here and there. That game was a little bit more consistent.”

Crucially, he believes there is another gear still to come. “I felt there was a lot more to give,” Humphries said. “I’m really pleased with that win, but I do feel there’s a little bit more in there, or a lot more, actually.”

He also returned to something he considers a strength: finding his best at the right moment. “A lot of times in my career, I’ve found that level when I really needed it,” he said. “Loads of other times I’ve not been good at it, but I feel like I’ve been good at it more than I haven’t.”

And New Year’s Eve? No wild parties. “Just quiet,” he smiled. “With the family, ring in the new year and get to bed on time.” The real celebration comes later, he stressed. “You only truly celebrate when the tournament is over.”

The turn of the year feels like a fresh start for Humphries. “Last year ended disappointingly. This is a much better way to close the year.” Still, he remains cautious. “It’s been a good year, but it only becomes a great year if I become world champion.”

Humphries also spoke warmly about Gary Anderson’s form and what it says about the current depth in the sport. “Gary is like everybody’s idol in a way,” he said, also mentioning “the fluency, the easiness they make it look” from Anderson and Adrian Lewis.

The Premier League debate came up too, with Humphries weighing the balance between exclusivity and opportunity. “Eight feels really elite,” he said. “I think 12 is probably too much, it’s not elite then. I think 10 is probably the maximum.”

And when asked what separates the very best, Humphries’ answer was immediate. “Mentality is the main thing if you want to be at the top of the game,” he said, before putting a number on it. “I’d say 70, 80, 90 percent is definitely mental, because if you feel mentally good, usually the darts go good as well.”

Humphries is back where he believes he should be: a fifth quarter-final at Alexandra Palace, and another New Year’s Day date with the biggest stage in darts. But he was also honest about what that means for a former world champion. “Making quarter-finals is great,” he said. “But for players like me, the minimum is a final. Minimum is winning it once you’ve won it once before.”