Luke Littler and Luke Humphries awarded MBE in King’s Birthday Honours as Deta Hedman receives OBE

Luke Littler and Luke Humphries have both been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, recognising their contribution to the sport of darts.

The pair will team up to represent England at the BetVictor World Cup of Darts this weekend, and their incredible impact on the sport in recent years has been recognised in the latest Honours List.

Humphries made his initial breakthrough as the 2019 World Youth Champion, before taking glory in a PDC major for the first time at the 2023 World Grand Prix.

The 30-year-old went on to win the 2023/24 World Championship, rising to number one in the world rankings in the process, and also won last year’s World Cup of Darts and, more recently – the 2025 Premier League.

“I’m extremely honoured and delighted to be receiving an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to darts,” said Humphries.

“To be recognised by the King for what I have achieved, and also for my contribution to playing in and promoting the sport that I love, is something that I never thought possible, but I’m very grateful that it has become a reality.

“I have enjoyed the highest of highs in darts in becoming world number one and winning the biggest tournaments that the game has to offer, but to be awarded the MBE will rank alongside any of those achievements.

“I have to give a massive thanks to my fiancée Kayley, and my family, particularly my mum and dad, who have been a constant source of support over the years and helped make me the person that I am today.

“To say that I’m looking forward to visiting Buckingham Palace is an understatement. To receive the MBE there with my family with me is something that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.

“I’ll continue to be a good ambassador for darts, and help pave the way for future generations to be involved and succeed in a sport that has given so much to me.”

Teenage sensation Littler has enjoyed a whirlwind rise in the sport since reaching the 2023/24 World Darts Championship final in his debut appearance as a 16-year-old.

That run captured the imagination of a global audience, and was bettered when he succeeded Humphries as World Champion in January 2025.

Littler had also won the 2024 Premier League and Grand Slam of Darts during an amazing first full season as a professional, and now sits in second place behind Humphries on the PDC Order of Merit.

The 18-year-old has also helped to inspire a new generation of young fans around the world, with global interest in the sport at an all-time high.

“This is an amazing and unexpected honour but one which I am very grateful for,” said Littler.

“To receive a recognition like this is something I had never thought would be possible, and it is a proud moment.

“It’s unbelievable what I’ve done for my sport; I’m happy, my family is happy and I can’t wait to receive it.

“Congratulations to Luke Humphries on receiving an MBE too – he’s a fantastic ambassador for darts, and although he’s a rival, I can’t wait to partner him in the World Cup this weekend.”

The duo join an illustrious list of darts players to be awarded an MBE, with Fallon Sherrock and Keith Deller in recent year following the recognition given to Eric Bristow, John Lowe and Trina Gulliver.

Dutch legends Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen have previously received the Ridder in de Orde van Oranje-Nassau from the King of the Netherlands – the Dutch equivalent of an MBE.

Meanwhile, women’s darting icon Deta Hedman has been awarded an OBE for her services to darts and charity.

Hedman, whose career has spanned more than 40 years, has racked up more than 240 ranking titles, a record-breaking number of England caps and 28 Gold medals at WDF Cups.

The 65-year-old is a two-time World Masters champion and has also reached the Women’s World Championship final on three occasions.

Throughout her career, Hedman has also offered her time for the betterment of the sport and was formerly nicknamed ‘The Heart of Darts’ for her work with the charity that helped disabled children, and has also been a long-term ambassador for the England youth teams.