Fallon Sherrock beats world darts No 1 Luke Littler in Netflix live leg

A risky format for Netflix

Netflix staged Beat Luke Littler on Friday evening, 30 October, at Manchester Central arena, with Gary Lineker and Richard Osman as hosts. Amateur players who had queued for heats during the summer each got a single leg against the world champion, and anyone who beat him took home £501,000. Netflix had no way of knowing whether Littler would be beaten, so it prepared a second competition in case he lost in the opening rounds. The event was the streamer's first UK live entertainment show, and it aired on the same night as the final of the BBC series Celebrity Traitors.

The leg that ended Littler's run

Littler comfortably beat a jockey from Australia, a refuse collector from Bedford and several teenagers, including two 14-year-olds. He had recently lost several notable matches, including a European Championship quarter-final against Krzysztof Ratajski. The closest challenge came from Pearse Mackle, a 21-year-old former Irish youth player, who missed a double that would have closed his leg. Fallon Sherrock, the 15th challenger, won the throw for the first leg, scored 100 and then a maximum 180. She closed the leg on double 20 at her second attempt, checking out 501 in just 14 darts, and the leg itself lasted 88 seconds.

Eligibility and the amateur question

Sherrock's entry drew controversy once it became known. She holds an MBE for services to darts, has played at the PDC World Darts Championship and won the inaugural Women's World Matchplay in 2022. Some people argued that this made her no true amateur. Netflix, however, classed anyone who had never held a PDC tour card as eligible. The 32-year-old had also once been the first woman to win a game on the big World Championship stage.

Reaction on the night

Sherrock received a cheque and a trophy inscribed "I beat Luke Littler". The crowd cheered loudly, and her young son hugged her after the win. Speaking to Lineker, she said:

“I can't put into words how much this means.”

Littler, who lost, praised her performance and said he had enjoyed the night.

“I've enjoyed every bit of it.”

He called her world class and suggested the show could return next year.