Luke Humphries is 'hurt' by Luke Littler getting all the attention after his win in the final of the World Darts Championship last month.
That's according to Michael van Gerwen, who has taken issue with the treatment the 29-year-old gets compared to his rival.
Littler pushed his experienced opponent all the way at Alexandra Palace, showing maturity beyond his years in the process.
But it was Humphries who became world champion, with the Newbury-born star throwing his way to a 7-4 victory in the capital.
Darts news: Michael van Gerwen says it's 'scandalous' Luke Littler gets more attention than Luke Humphries
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And Van Gerwen feels the 29-year-old doesn't get enough credit, admitting he finds it 'scandalous'.
When asked about the attention Littler is getting, the Dutchman told VTM 2: "I actually think it's a bit scandalous toward Luke Humphries.
"That guy is the world champion, won all the major majors last year and nobody talks about him. Deep down, that hurts him."
Van Gerwen then added: "He [Littler] is fantastic, but everyone puts so much pressure on him.
"Let him mature first. He's done well, but that's only two months, I've been doing it for 18 years.
"Of course he has everything to become a very big one, but give him a break, y'all.
"Qualifiers, Euro Tours, Pro Tours, a girlfriend, he has to learn to live with all that.
"Let him bump his nose and make mistakes, that's where he learns the most."
All three players are in Premier League action tonight at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle.
Humphries faces Rob Cross, while Littler is poised to lock horns with darts veteran Peter Wright.
As for Van Gerwen, the 34-year-old will go up against Gerwyn Price.
The Dutchman is currently top of the standings with 10 points to his name, having won two of the three nights of action so far.
Smith has seven, with Littler and Humphries both on five each.
While Van Gerwen claims Humphries is hurt, however, the Briton insisted that wasn't the case earlier this month - insisting he's just happy to be champion, rather than reflecting on the attention, or lack of it, he gets compared to Littler.
"That's just how the world works," he told the Daily Mail earlier this month. "Whoever's the most popular will gain the most attention.
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Darts news: Luke Humphries beat Luke Littler in the final of the World Championship at the start of the year
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"But being a famous media person that everyone knows wasn't my dream. My dream was to be world champion.
"So for me, regardless of how much attention I've gotten after it, I don't really care that much - I'm just happy I'm world champion.
"If that comes with a million followers or not, it doesn't affect me.
"I achieved the dream I worked so hard through my life to get. I think Luke's handled the attention of it really well – it’s not easy for a 16, 17-year-old kid.
"I'll try and help him as much as I can to make sure that it doesn't become too hard.
Darts news: Luke Humphries has previously said he doesn't care about the attention Luke Littler receives
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"But for me, the attention, I don’t care."
He added: "It wasn't a straightforward path for me. I didn't come in like Luke Littler and just bash my way through a tournament and be part of the elite straight away. It took me a long time to find my feet.
"The first couple of years were quite tough in my career - I was losing a lot of games 6-5, my mental capabilities weren't there, and then obviously I went through anxiety and stuff like that.
"I decided to lose some weight, around four and a half stone, sorted out the anxiety problems and it allowed me to become the player I am now.
"I feel like all that experience made me a stronger person and a better player. As much as I am not really happy I went through them, it has made me the person I am today and I am proud of that."
