Luke Humphries insists he had no problem with the Alexandra Palace crowd despite being treated as a 'pantomime villain'.
The 28-year-old won the Darts World Championship on Wednesday but it was his teenage opponent Luke Littler who was the favourite of the Ally Pally faithful.
Humphries fought back from 4-2 down to beat Littler 7-4 and upset the 16-year-old darting sensation.
Littler has undoubtedly been the story of the tournament and many wanted him to continue his mesmeric rise with victory in the final.
Luke Humphries spoke to GB News after his World Darts Championship success
GB NEWS
There were a few audible boos during Humphries' walk-on ahead of the match.
Humphries joined GB News live on Thursday morning and was asked by our own Bev Turner how it felt to be the 'pantomime villain'.
But a gracious Humphries insisted the crowd were fully respectful throughout the match.
He said: "No I thought the crowd were fantastic.
"Of course, the fairytale was for Luke Littler to win and I think they would have all loved to have seen him win because it was a fairytale story.
"But I felt the crowd were fantastic, they allowed the game to flow, allowed us both to be at the best of our abilities and we put on one of the great world finals that there's been.
"It was a privilege to be a part of it."
Littler dominated the front pages of national newspapers on Thursday despite Humphries coming out on top.
But the new world No 1 also doesn't have any problem with the youngster grabbing the headlines.
He said: "I've not looked at the front pages. To me, there's nothing else that matters in the media.
"I've got what I wanted right here, the world champion, world trophy.
"So regardless of what's on the front pages, I'm not in this game for the game or to be on the front pages of newspapers.
"I'm in it to be multiple, multiple world champion and I've got my first there. So nothing else matters to me."
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Luke Humphries won the 2024 World Darts Championship
Getty
Humphries will have a busy 2024, including being an automatic selection for the Premier League which starts in early February.
But he is determined to ensure this year's World Championship success will not be his last.
He added: "It's important for me now to work hard and to try and achieve more.
"I'd love to go on and make a massive legacy for myself to become one of the greatest darts players that's ever been.
"Obviously I've achieved everything that's possible - world No 1, world champion, major champion.
Luke Humphries is not bothered by the attention Luke Littler is getting
Getty
"There's a lot of things still left to achieve but I've achieved the most gracious things that I can in the sport.
"Now it's important for me to dedicate, work hard, carry myself in an importantly good manner for the PDC because I'm the flag bearer for the sport.
"I'm really looking forward to what's going to be a very, very busy 2024 for me."
