Luke Humphries hailed rising star Luke Littler after beating the teen 7-4 in a high-quality World Darts Championship final.

Littler, 16, was leading 4-2 at one stage but Cool Hand turned up the heat to rattle off five straight sets and land his first Sid Waddell Trophy.

An emotional Humphries was full of praise for his opponent after his triumph.

The 28-year-old told Sky Sports: "I honestly could not put into words how great this feels. 

"In the back of my mind all day I thought, 'Get this one now because this guy is going to dominate world darts soon'.

"He is an incredible talent and is going to win lots of these. I'm world champion and world No1. I can't ask for more. I really can't.

"It makes it more incredible because there was a time in my life when I was really depressed and I couldn't do it up on the big stage and had a lot of problems — so to be world champion is unbelievable."

Runcorn arrowsmith Littler felt he let himself down in key moments.

The 16-year-old sensation said: "It's been unbelievable. The one negative was losing too many legs with my own throw, then Luke would hold and I'd be 2-0 down. 

"That's the only negative. I couldn't hold my own throw and I didn't win."

Littler has secured himself a world ranking and will spend plenty more time testing himself against the very best this year.

He added: "Fair play to Luke, he deserved it. I'd rather be in the top 32 than play the Development Tour next year! 

"People would see me turn up and say, 'He doesn't need to develop'. I'm happy, top 32, runner-up on my debut. It's unbelievable. 

"I might not get to a final for another 5-10 years, we don't know, but I can say I'm a runner-up. Now I wanna go and win it."