‘All business’ – Paul Lim was life-changer for Luke Humphries but he’ll get no mercy

Luke Humphries will be giving no favours to Paul Lim despite crediting the 71-year-old with having a major impact on his career.

The world number two will face Lim next at the Ally Pally five years on from their famous encounter.

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Back in 2020, the ‘Singapore Slinger’ dumped out Humphries in the first round of the World Championship.

That proved to be a real turning point for ‘Cool Hand’, who underwent a radical transformation in his life.

Humphries went on to become the World Champion in 2024 and spent nearly two years as the top ranked player in the world.

Speaking after his first round victory over Ted Evetts at the Ally Pally, Humphries told talkSPORT: “I get on really well with Paul. Since that game to be honest we’ve got on like a house on fire and we sort of joked about how he probably did help my career.

“He probably did to be honest. It’s one of those scenarios I think that makes or breaks a career. It could have broken me and made me think I’m not good enough for this. 

“But it made me because I thought I needed to make changes here. I need to lose weight. I need to practice hard.

“There’s a man sitting right here actually that did help me a lot to be honest Paul Nicholson that did help me in certain moments that made me another reason why I’m the player I am today. 

“So these little changes that you do in life to make you better and you know I am a different person to when I played Paul last.

“I’m a better player as well and a heavy scorer. For him, it’s amazing. You are 71 years old and you’re still coming over here and beating top players. It’s amazing.

“I’ve got full admiration for him, but of course when I play him it’s going to be business because I want to win and I want to win a World Championship. 

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“I would be supporting him in every other game he ever played in his life, but obviously when I play him on December 22 I’m gonna be fully focused on trying to win that game.”

Humphries on Ally Pally crowd

Lim became the oldest player to win a match at the PDC World Darts Championship when he defeated Jeffery de Graaf 3-1.

The 71-year-old is one of the most popular players out there and Humphries knows he will probably have the crowd against him.

He said: “This is something I’ve experienced many many times in my career. I played a world final against Luke Littler… I don’t think even my mum and dad wanted me to win that one. Maybe they did want me to win that one.

“I had the whole crowd against me in the world championship final under the biggest pressure I’ll ever face and I still managed to put in a great performance, so I won’t let that affect me.

“If I can perform at the level I did tonight then it’s gonna be tough for Paul. That’s pretty obvious. 

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“But if I don’t and he’s inspired by the crowd and I you know get a little bit nervy. Then it could be anyone’s, but you know I’m a different player. Now I know what I’ve got to do, and I’m experienced against crowds against me.”

Commenting on Lim’s age, 30-year-old Humphries added: “I can guarantee you I will not be here in 41 years. I hope I’m alive, but I certainly will not be playing darts in 41 years. 

“But you know for Paul he still has the drive he still loves being a part of what darts has to offer and he doesn’t do it for the money.

“He does it for the love of the game, and you know why not. He’s traveling the world enjoying himself.”

Humphries on winning an MBE

Humphries picked up an MBE this week for services to darts and told talkSPORT: “It’s been a good week for myself. Nothing could have topped that MBE that I received. Winning tonight is obviously great, being World Champion is great but when you receive an MBE, regardless of whether people think I deserved it or not – that’s a discussion for another day.

“It’s a major achievement for someone because you get recognised in the whole of your country as someone very important.

“I’ve done my due diligence as well. I’ve done a lot on the board, but I’ve done a lot of it as well. 

“For myself and my family it was a special moment to receive that and you know I joined an exclusive club of not many players that I’ve received an MBE as a darts player.”

2026 PDC World Championship Odds and Offer

2026 PDC World Darts Championship Winner Odds:

• Luke Littler – 1/1
• Luke Humphries – 7/2
• Gian van Veen – 12/1
• Gerwyn Price – 14/1
• Josh Rock – 14/1
• Michael van Gerwen – 16/1
• Nathan Aspinall – 40/1
• Stephen Bunting – 40/1

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