Luke Littler, the teenage darts sensation and current world number one, has revealed that he initially thought his Netflix show would feature amateur pub players. The show, titled 'Beat Luke Littler', aired live globally last month and offered a life-changing prize of £501,000 to any player who could defeat him in a single leg of 501.
The format saw 24 players selected to take on Littler, with the field including low-level opponents such as an Australian jockey, a bin man, and a Nando's manager. However, anyone not on the PDC Tour was also eligible, which opened the door for top women's player Fallon Sherrock and leading junior players Mitchell Lawrie and Zach Griffiths.
Sherrock, who made history as the first woman to beat a male opponent at the PDC World Championship in 2019, ultimately won the cash after defeating Littler. She earned her spot through an audition process and a public vote.
Littler, who is preparing for the Grand Slam of Darts this weekend, admitted: "Before I saw the line-up, I thought it was just pub players. Whereas obviously when the line-up came out, I probably knew just over half of them."
He added: "Mitchell, Zach Griffiths - I played with him on the Development Tour - obviously Fallon, Katie Sheldon and a lot more. I mean Fallon, she's never had a Tour card, so she went for the qualifiers and she made it through. But then she wasn't guaranteed to play - she went in on a vote."
Sherrock, who has been awarded an MBE for her services to darts, made the most of her opportunity. After Littler had defeated 14 consecutive challengers, Sherrock won the bull throw to go first and checked out in 15 darts to claim the £501,000 prize.
Reflecting on the event, Littler said: "It was a very good night overall. I think from my side it was very good. From Netflix's side, it was very good. I think the whole thing was probably a learning curve. For me, constantly playing back-to-back, especially in the heat, I was going off and on stage. I'm up for another one and I'm sure Netflix will be as well."
He also expressed his amazement at having his own show: "There aren't many people who could say they've got their own show, and I've had my own show on Netflix, which is just still bonkers to me."
Sherrock, who has faced her share of criticism, was happy to overcome the 'hate' and secure the victory. The show proved to be a thrilling spectacle, blending amateur hopefuls with professional talents and showcasing the inclusive nature of the sport.
What's Next for Littler?
Littler now turns his focus to the Grand Slam of Darts, where he will aim to add another major title to his collection. The young star continues to captivate audiences with his prodigious talent and humble demeanor.
