Luke Humphries opened up about his family’s sorrow following his first Premier League victory of the season.

Cool Hand regained the form that let him sweep four titles, including the World Championship, in fast succession, defeating Gerwyn Price, Rob Cross, and Michael Smith on night six in Brighton. Humphries’ form has been inconsistent since his stunning triumph over Luke Littler in the Ally Pally final two months ago.

Trolls on social media have described the 29-year-old as the ‘worst world champion of all time’. However, after reaching the final of the UK Open last weekend and then winning a Premier League night, it is apparent his form is trending in the right direction.

Speaking to us after his win in Brighton, Humphries opened up about what has been a difficult few months for him personally, following the death of his grandmother in January.

“You get a few people who say it wasn’t a great start [to the year] and maybe it wasn’t a great start,” he said. “But a lot of people didn’t know the things that were going on behind closed doors. My nan passing away was really tough for me.

“I found out on the second day in Den Bosch [during the Dutch Darts Masters], so it was really hard for me to play that game against Luke Littler, but I did.”

“I was really close to my nan and it was really tough for me, but life goes on and you have to try and battle through it. The funeral was during the Players Championship [event] that I missed.

“I then had to get my head on. I feel like, since that moment, my head’s been in a better space.”