Luke Humphries Details Severe Food Poisoning and Dramatic Weight Loss
Former PDC world darts champion Luke Humphries has opened up about a severe health ordeal, revealing that he lost a stone in weight during a debilitating battle with food poisoning. The illness forced the star to withdraw from a major television tournament at the last minute, keeping him confined to his home for weeks as he recovered from gastroenteritis. Known to fans as Cool Hand Luke, the 31-year-old athlete missed the four-day European Darts Championship in Dortmund, Germany, which took place last month.
The sudden illness caught the world number two completely off guard, leading to significant physical exhaustion and a dramatic drop on the scales. Humphries explained that after eight or nine days of struggling with the bug, he stepped onto the scales and discovered he had dropped roughly 15 pounds. The inability to consume normal food during the peak of the infection took a heavy toll on his body before he slowly began to regain a small amount of weight by returning to a standard diet.
Why Luke Humphries Missed the European Darts Championship
Missing the tournament in Dortmund marked a painful milestone for the professional athlete, who stated it was the first major event he had ever been forced to skip. Having built a strong run of form prior to the illness, the withdrawal brought significant frustration. Gastroenteritis, the medical diagnosis he received, is a common intestinal infection that triggers severe bouts of diarrhoea and vomiting, leaving sufferers physically depleted and requiring extended periods of rest.
The recovery process kept Humphries inactive for nearly a month following his appearance at the Swiss Darts Trophy. Confined primarily to his sofa and bed, he did not move about much for three-and-a-half weeks and refrained from practicing his throw for two weeks. The abrupt halt to his training schedule and competitive calendar represented a major setback during a crucial part of the professional darts season.
The Road to Recovery and Return at the Leicester Pro Tour
Demonstrating remarkable resilience, Humphries made a stunning return to competitive play by winning the penultimate Pro Tour event of 2026 on Wednesday. Staged in Leicester, a city that holds fond memories as the scene of his two World Grand Prix victories, the tournament served as an immediate test of his physical stamina. Spectators noted a red scab on his head during the event, which he suspected might have been a reaction to make-up used on the television show Bullseye, but his primary focus remained on testing his energy levels.
Entering the Players Championship knockout event straight from his sick bed, Humphries navigated a difficult draw with impressive skill. He defeated 16-year-old English player Archie Self, Welsh competitor Gerwyn Price, Scottish opponent Gary Anderson, and ultimately overcame Dutchman Niels Zonneveld with an 8-4 victory in the final to claim the £15,000 prize.
Assessing Form and Energy After Weeks of Inactivity
Speaking after his unexpected triumph in Leicester, Humphries admitted that his main goal for the tournament was simply to gauge his physical capacity after two weeks of severe illness. Having taken only a few throws in the four days leading up to the event, he had low expectations regarding his competitive readiness and wanted to avoid a disappointing performance.
The victory provided a welcome boost to his confidence, reassuring him that his natural ability on the oche remained intact despite the prolonged absence. Reflecting on the win, he noted that the unexpected success re-evaluates his outlook for the remainder of the year and proves that his game is still capable of producing top-tier results when it matters most.
