Humphries reveals he is overwhelmed by support after being “hated” for beating Littler

LUKE HUMPHRIES revealed he is overwhelmed by the huge support he is now receiving after being “hated” for beating Luke Littler.

The eight-time major winner was world No1 when Littler burst onto the scene and admits he faced intense scrutiny as the teenager quickly became the fan favourite.

Humphries, 31, defeated James Wade 5-3 in their World Grand Prix semi-final clash on Saturday evening.

Cool Hand averaged 96.83 in Leicester to become the first player to reach FOUR finals in a row and set up a showdown with Gerwyn Price.

He said: "I feel like a lot of people respect the way I deal with everything. I feel like all the scrutiny that's put on me, all the times of Luke [Littler] being the bigger name when I was the World No.1, I dealt with it well.

"I have noticed a lot more support for myself, I have noticed it a lot and honestly it overwhelms me because I'm really appreciative of the crowd, I get a lot of support so it really is nice for myself.

"Of course it's hard when you're not getting it and people hate you all of a sudden for no reason.

"When I beat Luke in the Worlds everyone hated me for no reason but, it was a tough time but of course I've bounced back from that."

Humphries’ semi-final was briefly interrupted by an angry exchange between his opponent and a supporter in the front row.

Wade, 43, became frustrated with the fan and began pointing towards them before referee Huw Ware stepped in to calm the crowd down.

But Humphries played down the incident and insisted the supporter was simply trying to get behind him.

He added: Someone that was trying to support me I think.

"He wasn't shouting when James [Wade] was throwing, maybe he just got a little bit overzealous, trying to get me motivated I think.

"Not when he was throwing but I think he just annoyed James a little bit and he just had enough of it and he just wanted to get him gone.

"I don't think he was doing too much wrong but if it bothers a player I'm not going to sit here and try and like get too fussed into it.

"It didn't really affect me. I think from that set we both played well, he just played really good in it and I was like, 'bring that bloke back'."