Fallon Sherrock Upsets Luke Littler for £501,000 Prize in Netflix Darts Event

Fallon Sherrock defeated reigning world champion Luke Littler in a single leg of darts on Friday to win a £501,000 prize in the Netflix event 'Beat Luke Littler.' The competition, held at Manchester Central and broadcast globally, featured amateur players competing against the world number one.

Sherrock, who became the first female player to beat a male opponent at the PDC World Championship in 2019, was eligible to compete because players could not be members of the PDC Tour. The 32-year-old has won 21 times on the Women's PDC Series. Littler, 19, had previously defeated 14 amateurs before facing Sherrock.

Sherrock secured the victory by hitting a 180 and then taking out double 20 in 15 darts. "It's insane, I can't put it into words of what it means, especially having Rory here - it's his first time at anything and he has seen me win," Sherrock said after the match. "It's a great moment and I will memorise this forever. Give me an opportunity and I will take it every time. I'm really proud of myself, I rise to the occasion."

Littler acknowledged Sherrock's performance, stating, "Brilliant, that's what one person had to do - win the bull and go out in 15 [darts] and that's what she did, world class."

The event drew 25,000 applicants. To reach the stage of facing Littler, players first had to score out from 501 in 24 darts or less. Those who succeeded then faced a three-person interview panel, which included 16-time world champion Phil Taylor and PDC president Barry Hearn.

Twenty players were scheduled to compete. Sixteen were selected directly, while the remaining eight were put to a public vote on Netflix. Sherrock won her spot in the vote against Germany's Jarod Becker, securing 75% of the votes.

Sherrock's victory immediately ended the competition, meaning the five remaining amateurs did not get the chance to compete for the prize money. Among those who did not secure the win was Ireland's Pearse Mackle, a university student who plays on the PDC's Development Tour. Mackle failed to hit the required bullseye to win his leg against Littler.

Littler had stated he intended to donate his winnings to charity. The event was hosted by Gary Lineker, with comedian Lee Mack and television presenter Richard Osman among the pundits. Many of Littler's earlier opponents had never played a competitive game of darts. The event featured elaborate player walk-ons announced by commentator John McDonald.

One notable early match saw 14-year-old Jayden Walker threaten an upset, but Littler responded with a 180 and a 158 checkout, winning the leg in 12 darts.

Sherrock, who was referred to by Lineker as a "hairdresser from Milton Keynes" despite her past achievements, capitalized on Littler's fatigue as the night progressed. Her win in the 15th match of the evening concluded the event and led to Hearn presenting her with the substantial cheque. Sherrock was previously nicknamed 'The Queen of the Palace' after her run in the 2019 PDC World Championship and was awarded an MBE in 2023 for her contributions to darts.