In a truly historic moment for darts, Fallon Sherrock, often dubbed ‘The Queen of the Palace’, triumphed over teenage sensation Luke Littler live on Netflix, securing a monumental £501,000 prize. This victory marks yet another significant milestone in her illustrious career, showcasing her incredible composure and skill on the biggest stage. She shared her immediate, emotional reactions and future aspirations in an exclusive interview following the match.
A Shocking Victory: “It Hasn’t Sunk In!”
Minutes after her electrifying win in Manchester, where she sealed the deal with a decisive 15-darter (finishing the leg in 15 throws) against ‘The Nuke’, Sherrock confessed her astonishment. “It hasn’t sunken in at all,” she admitted, still processing the magnitude of her achievement.
Unexpected Opportunity on a Star-Studded Night
Fallon revealed that simply getting a chance to play felt like a victory in itself, given the lineup of formidable players.
- “To be honest, I didn’t think I’d get a chance to play. There were so many players on before me.”
- “I just wanted the opportunity, and thankfully it came.”
- She observed from backstage, noting that even though Luke Littler wasn’t at his absolute peak, other players struggled to challenge him effectively.
- Sherrock believed that if she didn’t seize her moment, strong contenders like Mitchell Lawrie or Ash Coleman were more than capable of taking the win.
“I’m just glad it was my night and I’m absolutely over the moon to have won,” she stated, reflecting on her success.
The Decisive Leg: A New Walk-On and a Perfect Finish
Sherrock earned her spot in leg 15 against the World Champion through a public viewer vote. Her entrance, however, came with an unexpected twist – a different walk-on tune.
“I wasn’t allowed my normal walk-on song!” Fallon exclaimed. “I don’t even know the song that was played, but maybe I’ll have to keep it as a good luck charm now!”
Composure Under Pressure: The 180 and the Final Double
Fallon completed her mission with remarkable flair. A perfectly timed 180 (hitting three treble 20s with three darts) left her with a comfortable 43, while Littler was far behind on 142. Instead of aiming for her preferred double 16, she strategically hit the “big three” (the large section of the number three on the board) to leave herself with a guaranteed two darts at a double, specifically double top (double 20).
“That 180 felt amazing, and it took some of the pressure off,” she explained. “All I wanted to do was leave a double, so I played it safe and hit the big three! The first dart at tops was right on the wire, and a good guide, and the feeling when it went in was incredible.”
Thriving on the Grand Stage: “I Rise to the Occasion”
This victory adds to Sherrock’s reputation for performing exceptionally well when it matters most, echoing her groundbreaking run to the third round of the PDC World Championship in 2020. She clearly thrives under the bright lights.
“I just seem to be able to rise to the occasion! I feel really comfortable on the big stage, and that’s where my best game usually comes out,” she affirmed.
A Son’s First Live Match: A Life-Changing Moment
As her second dart at double top sealed the win, Littler himself presented her with the trophy. The moment was made even more special by the presence of her son, Rory, who joined her on stage – his first time witnessing his mother play live on such a grand platform.
“I was very emotional after winning, and to have Rory there with me to see me win, especially with it being the first time he’s seen me play live on stage was so special,” Fallon shared, clearly moved.
While Rory is a big fan of Luke Littler, Fallon hopes the life-changing prize money might sway him. “It’s a life-changing amount of money and I’ve not thought about what I will do with it yet, it feels surreal.” She added with a smile, “Rory’s very happy and has designs on buying a lot of Roblox things!”
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
