Fallon Sherrock Wins $670,000 in 'Beat Luke Littler' Darts Challenge

Fallon Sherrock, known as the "Queen of the Palace," has won a 501,000 pound prize (approximately $670,000) by defeating darts prodigy Luke Littler in a special one-leg challenge broadcast by Netflix.

Sherrock, who gained fame in 2019 as the first woman to beat multiple male competitors at the World Darts Championship, secured the winnings at the "Beat Luke Littler" event held in Manchester. The challenge offered the prize to any darts amateur who could defeat the 19-year-old Littler.

Littler, the reigning world champion, had successfully beaten 14 out of 20 opponents before facing Sherrock. In their encounter, Sherrock achieved a crucial maximum 180 score, setting her up for a double-20 checkout to win the leg. The prize money is the second largest ever awarded in the sport, trailing only the 1 million pounds given to the winner of the world championship.

Sherrock's participation drew some criticism on social media, as she was classified as an amateur for the event because she does not hold a tour card from the top-tier PDC Tour. Sherrock addressed the backlash, stating, "I’ve just beaten the best in the world, and I can’t say that very often." She also commented on the adversity she faced, saying, "I mean it’s been tough. Because obviously I do see the backlash and I do see all the negative comments. But at the end of the day, I fit the criteria for this. I’ve never had a tour card, and I wouldn’t class myself as a pro really, because all I do is just play darts for the enjoyment of it."

The "Beat Luke Littler" event featured a rapid succession of matches, with Littler playing each one-leg contest every 10 minutes. Previous contestants included Pearse Mackie, an Irish student who missed a dart to win, and Mark Pooke, who had previously played in a professional match against Phil Taylor. Littler expressed enjoyment of the event, stating, "I’ve enjoyed every bit of it. The advert, the photo shoots, everything."

Sherrock's 2019 World Championship performances earned her significant recognition, including congratulatory messages from notable figures like Sarah Jessica Parker and Billie Jean King. Her success in that tournament paved the way for increased visibility for female darts players.