Fallon Sherrock made more history on Friday night as she defeated Luke Littler to take home a life-changing £501,000 on Netflix‘s Beat Luke Littler.
It took Sherrock, who has won two matches at the World Championship previously – her first win seeing her become the first female player to win at the tournament – 14 darts to claim victory, and her son rushed onto the stage to embrace her and her new fortune.
‘It’s insane,’ she said, fighting back the tears. ‘I can’t put into words how much this means. And having my son, the first time he’s ever been to anything, and he saw me win.
‘It was lovely. Sorry, I’m lost for words. It was a great moment and I’ll remember it forever. Give me an opportunity and I’ll take it every time. I’m really proud of myself right now.’
Littler said: ‘That’s what one person had to do. I wanted her to give me a chance, and she didn’t.
‘I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. It’s been good.’
Luke Littler was defeated on Netflix on Friday night as Fallon Sherrock claimed £501,000
Sherrock needed just 14 darts to beat the two-time world champion and take home the prize
It was first assumed that the common man or woman would be taking on Littler for the chance at life-changing money. Netflix’s advertisement featured people lining up to audition that no one had ever seen before.
More than 3,000 people auditioned in London and Manchester to take on The Nuke. Hopefuls travelled from far and wide, queuing from the early hours of the morning.
And so fans were left puzzled when the line-up was announced. Among them were semi-pro stars, upcoming hotshots, and even players who have competed at the World Championship before.
Queen of the Palace Sherrock, six and soon to be seven-time Ally Pally participant, once reaching the last-32 in 2019; Wee Sox Mitchell Lawrie, the reigning World Darts Federation Youth champion and World No1; Fierce Pearse Mackle, who has played youth darts for Ireland; Young Gun Jayden Walker, 14, who has played Littler before – and he wasn’t the only one. Others who have played at semi-pro level.
‘I don’t need the money,’ Sherrock told Daily Mail Sport at the London auditions. ‘But I have always said I would like more opportunities to promote the women’s game, and this is the perfect opportunity to do it. Why wouldn’t you?
‘I do speak to Luke. I know him, I know his mum, his dad, Faith, and they are lovely, genuine people.’
Some felt short-changed. Some have indeed come from nowhere – a teacher, a Nando’s restaurant manager and a business adviser were all featured – but the selection process hardly went down as Netflix would have hoped.
Littler ‘put his reputation on the line’, Gary Lineker told us as the show started.
Up to 20 hopefuls would be given the chance to face Littler, with Sherrock compeititor No 15
On the punditry team, alongside darts player and analyst Laura Turner was Richard Osman, Littler’s friend Angry Ginge and comedian Lee Mack. We then saw Joe Marler and Josh Denzel. Darts.
Qualifiers were ranked and put into pots. Sixteen players were seeded, then others were wildcards who the public would vote for in a one-off contest.
Mack, frankly, had no idea. He asked if anyone had played at a high standard. What happened if Littler was beaten early. Said that more Professional Darts Corporation matches should bull up. They do.
Cheerleaders followed Littler to stage, which was where he stayed for the duration of the night. A hug for girlfriend Faith. Were the nerves starting to hit?
First up was 16-year-old Kasey Smith. Or ‘Katie’, according to Lineker. Smith was left stranded on 261, but did herself no shame. One down.
Tony Cole had never played against anyone before. He got closer, but not really close at all. Two down.
The major disadvantage that the challengers had was that Littler was regularly winning the bull, meaning he threw first in the leg. Playing against the darts is always a challenge – it’s worse when facing the best in the world.
Zach the professional jockey – who entered with a horse – fell short despite putting up a solid competition. Olly Murs was then interviewed. Again, darts.
Sherrock’s family celebrated in the crowd and would eventually join her on stage in Manchester
She was presented with a cheque – having previously told Daily Mail Sport she ‘doesn’t need the money’
Jayden Walker could have provided serious competition up next. He has broken some of Littler’s youth records and got the better of Luke Humphries before. Here, he had no answer as Littler pinned his first 180 and checked out 158 to win.
The first wildcard selection felt awkward. Two hopefuls stood at the end of the walk-on – one, decided by a live viewer vote, walked forward. The other headed backstage. What a waste of time.
And 18-year-old bin man Taylon Forrester came close. The crowd began to boo Littler’s throw. He came through his toughest challenge yet as his opponent got down to a finish.
The next, Mackle, had a dart at the bull. His life flashed before his eyes. Netflix were more interested in getting Olly Murs on screen than actually filming the dart, but he missed. Littler didn’t. ‘I’m happy enough with that,’ Mackle said. The closest we’d come by far.
Fifty-seven-year-old Mark Pooke hit a 12-dart leg in the auditions. He won the bull, but then threw away the advantage and seemed to lose his bottle. Stone faced, but Littler prevailed against the No2 seed.
Littler’s average at this point had dropped into the 80s. Though a second ton-plus out shot took him to ten wins.
‘It’s tough when it’s constant,’ Littler said. ‘Anyone can cause me bother.’
Littler hit only two 180s. He wasn’t good enough, or he didn’t need to? Pick your narrative.
Sherrock won the bull as challenger number 15. The trebles started to come. She left 43. Littler a mile away.
The roof came off the place. Fallon Sherrock made history again. Her son rushed onto stage. She may not be the best player – or even the best female player – but she has a habit of making history.
And so Littler was beaten by Sherrock, who, for some reason Lineker said at the close ‘arrived as a hairdresser from Milton Keynes’.
‘Let’s do it again next year,’ The Nuke said. It’s back to making the millions for him now.
