In a thrilling inaugural Netflix darts special titled “Beat Luke Littler,” darts sensation Fallon Sherrock achieved the seemingly impossible: she defeated world number one Luke Littler. The challenge saw Littler attempt to beat 20 challengers without dropping a single leg to secure a massive prize. However, after dominating 14 opponents, “The Nuke” was stopped by “The Queen of the Palace,” who seized her opportunity and walked away with a staggering £501,000.
The Ultimate Darts Challenge: “Beat Luke Littler”
Last Friday evening marked the debut of the highly anticipated Netflix show, “Beat Luke Littler.” The premise was simple yet incredibly challenging: world number one Luke Littler, affectionately known as “The Nuke,” was tasked with facing 20 different players in Manchester. His mission? To win every single leg without exception. If he failed, the challenger who defeated him would claim an astonishing £501,000 prize.
The event, hosted by renowned sports presenter Gary Lineker, captivated audiences. Joining Lineker were celebrity guests Richard Osman, Josh Denzel, and Angry Ginge, with darts expert Laura Turner providing insightful commentary from the Manchester Central Complex.
How Challengers Were Chosen
The selection process for the challengers was rigorous, reflecting the high stakes of the competition. Netflix received a staggering 25,000 applications. Only a fraction of these hopefuls were invited to a multi-round casting process. Prospective players had to demonstrate their skill by finishing a leg in fewer than 24 darts, followed by interviews with darts legends Barry Hearn, Phil Taylor, and Laura Turner. Ultimately, 16 main starters and 8 wildcards were chosen, all united by one goal: to be the player who beat Luke Littler and claim the life-changing prize money.
Luke Littler’s Dominant Run
The atmosphere was electric as legendary caller John McDonald introduced the players with his signature elaborate walk-ons, while Huw Ware officiated as caller. Littler began his campaign with a formidable display, swiftly overcoming his initial opponents:
- Kasey Smith (16 years old): Littler hit double 10, leaving Smith on 261.
- Tony Cole: A darts newcomer, Cole was left on 288.
- Zac Spain: Despite his efforts, Spain was defeated by a 15-dart leg from Littler.
- Jayden Walker (14 years old): The youngest ever WDF men’s title winner couldn’t stop Littler, who hit the evening’s first 180 and checked out 158 in just 12 darts.
- Katie Sheldon: Like others, she couldn’t reach a checkout position against “The Nuke.”
Littler continued his winning streak, though he faced moments of pressure. Against “Trash Man” Taylon Forrester, Littler surprisingly missed triples for three consecutive throws, giving Forrester a glimmer of hope before the challenger faltered, leaving 117. Théodore Wallich from France also posed no significant threat.
Near Misses and Clutch Finishes
As the night progressed, some challengers came tantalizingly close to victory:
- Pearse Mackle: He was the first player to get a match dart, aiming for the bullseye from 89, after Littler had a poor leg. However, Mackle missed, and Littler hit Tops to keep the show alive.
- Mark Pooke: A veteran who had played in major tournaments two decades ago, Pooke won the bull-off but didn’t get a match dart.
- Zac Griffiths: Littler defeated him with a spectacular 142 checkout.
By this point, Littler had dispatched half of his challengers. Younger players like 14-year-old Makinley Cooper-Johnson and Will Kemp, along with Women’s Series player Lauren Bloomfield, were also unable to break Littler’s dominance. David Wawrzewski managed to get down to 120 remaining, but no one had yet secured the winning double.
The Historic Upset: Fallon Sherrock vs. Luke Littler
Then came the eagerly anticipated duel between Luke Littler and Fallon Sherrock. Known as “The Queen of the Palace,” Sherrock immediately set the tone. She won the bull-off to start the leg and then, under immense pressure, threw a maximum (180). This proved to be a pivotal moment, even for the unflappable Luke Littler, who could only manage to reduce his score to 143.
With 43 remaining, Fallon Sherrock stepped up to the oche. She missed her first attempt at Tops, but composed herself for the second. With a steady hand, Sherrock successfully hit Tops, securing the leg and delivering Luke Littler his first defeat of the night in his 15th match. The crowd erupted as Fallon Sherrock became the historic winner of the £501,000 prize!
A New Era for Darts?
Overall, the “Beat Luke Littler” event was a resounding success, undoubtedly broadening the appeal and reach of darts to a wider audience. The production quality, from the broadcast to the elaborate setting, was highly professional and polished. However, there was some valid criticism regarding the player selection process and audience voting, which unfortunately led to situations like Jarod Becker traveling to Manchester only to be eliminated by Sherrock in the voting before even throwing a dart.
In a post-event interview, Luke Littler expressed his hope for a repeat event next year. Netflix will undoubtedly be evaluating the evening’s success and impact before making a decision.
Match Results Summary
- Luke Littler 1-0 Kasey Smith (261 Remaining for Smith)
- Luke Littler 1-0 Tony Cole (288 Remaining for Cole)
- Luke Littler 1-0 Zac Spain (184 Remaining for Spain)
- Luke Littler 1-0 Jayden Walker (303 Remaining for Walker)
- Luke Littler 1-0 Katie Sheldon (296 Remaining for Sheldon)
- Luke Littler 1-0 Taylon Forrester (117 Remaining for Forrester)
- Luke Littler 1-0 Théodore Wallich (233 Remaining for Wallich)
- Luke Littler 1-0 Pearse Mackle (41 Remaining for Mackle)
- Luke Littler 1-0 Mark Pooke (98 Remaining for Pooke)
- Luke Littler 1-0 Zac Griffiths (208 Remaining for Griffiths)
- Luke Littler 1-0 Makinley Cooper-Johnson (227 Remaining for Cooper-Johnson)
- Luke Littler 1-0 Will Kemp (264 Remaining for Kemp)
- Luke Littler 1-0 Lauren Bloomfield (249 Remaining for Bloomfield)
- Luke Littler 1-0 David Wawrzewski (120 Remaining for Wawrzewski)
- Luke Littler (143 Remaining for Littler) 0-1 Fallon Sherrock
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
