Luke Littler and Luke Humphries win more awards as duo make King’s Birthday Honours list | Other | Sport
Luke Littler and Luke Humphries have been awarded MBEs in a sport-rich Birthday Honours List. The honours system recognises people who have made achievements in public life and committed themselves to serving and helping the UK. Both darts stars have been rewarded for their impact on the sport over the past two years.
Littler became the youngest world champion aged only 17 years and 347 days earlier this year. Humphries, whose crown Littler inherited in January, is the world No. 1 and defeated the now-18-year-old in the Premier League Darts final last month. Both have been credited with having a huge impact on the increased popularity of their sport over the past few years. They join other darts-linked stars in receiving MBEs, including Fallon Sherrock and the late Eric Bristow.
Having won titles such as the World Championship, Premier League, Grand Slam and UK Open in the two years since his breakthrough, Littler has become one of British sport’s most recognisable faces. His rivalry with Humphries has captured the imagination of the public and welcomed new fans to the sport.
Meanwhile, Deta Hedman, who has remarkably won ranking titles in each of the last five decades, has been rewarded for her success by being made an OBE. In 2020, Hedman became the first black woman to play at the World Darts Championship.
It is a Birthday Honours List featuring plenty of popular British sporting personalities. Former England captain David Beckham has been awarded a knighthood for services to sport and charity.
Beckham spent over a decade at Manchester United, winning trophies including the Premier League and Champions League, before moving to Real Madrid. He won 115 England caps and now owns MLS outfit Inter Miami. The 50-year-old also has a stake in Salford City alongside Gary Neville.
For two decades, Beckham has worked as an ambassador for UNICEF. Last year, he was appointed as an ambassador for the King’s Foundation.
Former Wimbledon champion Virginia Wade has been awarded a CBE. OBEs have been handed to two-time Olympic triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee, Oldham owner Frank Rothwell, and former England pace bowler Devon Malcolm.
Also set to receive an MBE are England Lionesses icon Rachel Daly and former cricketer David Lawrence. The latter, 62, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year.
Meanwhile, Littler and Humphries are competing together at the World Cup of Darts this year. As the world No. 2 and No. 1, respectively, they are strong favourites to win the competition for England, who could extend their record of World Cup victories to six.
