'Beat Luke Littler' darts challenge, 30 October 2026

[Oggiman]

Fallon Sherrock is set to face Luke Littler for the first time in a special event taking place at the end of this month - 'Beat Luke Littler'.

Sherrock is one of 24 contestants who could go head-to-head with Littler over one leg in Manchester Central next Friday, with the first player to beat Littler winning £501,000.

Sherrock is the most high-profile player while reigning world youth champion Mitchell Lawrie is also in the field along with regular members of the public who play darts socially.

Littler said: "There's half a million quid up for grabs, I won't be going easy at all!

"I'll be wanting to beat everyone who comes up. Maybe the first few legs could be a bit nervy, but once I get going then I don't think anyone will stop me."

Next Friday's exhibition event in Manchester will be broadcast on Netflix and saw thousands of amateur darts players aged 12 and over put their skills to the test in a rigorous three-stage qualification process at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park earlier this month.

They had to check out 501 in 24 darts or fewer before the reality TV element of the competition came into play, with successful players then interviewed by the show's production team.

The final stage required them to impress a PDC judging panel led by 16-time world champion Phil Taylor, who assessed their darting prowess and decided whether they had the ability to give Littler a realistic challenge in the event.

 

[Oggiman]

A 14-year old darts player is set to take on Luke Littler in a live darts showdown for a shot at £501,000.

Jayden Walker, from Christchurch, Dorset, is one of 24 players picked for Beat Luke Littler, a live Netflix show in which contestants take on the world champion in a single leg of 501 unless someone beats him ending the challenge.

Jayden, whose playing nickname is The Young Gun, has played Littler twice, he said: "He beat me 3-0 the first time... he was on fire, then the second time I lost 2-1 but I won the first leg so I got the leg I need tonight to win the money."

Ahead of the live show in Manchester at 19:00 GMT on Friday he said he was "excited... but then also a little bit nervous".

 

[HappyH]

C'Mon Young Mitchell, make a name for yerself lad
HH.

 

[HappyH]

C'Mon Fallon Sherrock make a name for yerself lass
HH.

 

[Oggiman]

World darts champion Luke Littler has been beaten by Fallon Sherrock in his live Netflix challenge. Sherrock's one-leg victory saw her land a huge £501,000 prize in the unprecedented event.

Littler had eased past 14 amateurs who had been given a chance to change their lives, before meeting his match in his bid to beat 20 opponents in a row.

An overwhelmed Sherrock, who hit a 180 on her way to victory, said: "Oh it’s insane!

"I can’t put it into words.

"It’s the first time my son’s been to a darts tournament and he’s seen me win.

"I’m really lost for words. It’s a great moment and I’ll remember this forever.

"I’m really proud of myself right now."

Twenty hopefuls were vying for a £501,000 payday if they could beat the double world champion in a one-off leg of 501 on ‘Beat Luke Littler’, which streamed on Friday night.

The show had attracted criticism after leading women’s player Sherrock, who reached the third round of the World Championship in 2020, World Darts Federation number one Mitchell Lawrie, former PDC player Mark Pooke and talented youngster Jaden Walker were named among the line-up. Many of the other contestants were unknown amateurs.

Thousands of amateur players queued for hours for the audition process hoping to get selected for the show, with an Australian jockey, a German teacher and a restaurant manager at Nando’s among those who made it through the audition process.

The £501,000 prize is the second-highest single payout in darts, behind the £1million prize for the World Championship winner.

 

[Oggiman]

Her inclusion in the line-up for the Netflix show attracted criticism, with some questioning her place among the competitors given her standing in the game. Sherrock was eligible to enter because she does not hold a PDC Tour Card.

Some viewers insisted she should not have been allowed to compete in the event, which saw many unknown amateurs hoping for a shot at changing their lives.

While many congratulated her on her achievement in beating Littler, others branded the outcome "a joke" and "a farce".

Asked about the negative reaction, Sherrock said:

“I mean it’s been tough. Because obviously I do see the backlash and I do see all the negative comments. But at the end of the day, I fit the criteria for this. I’ve never had a tour card, and I wouldn’t class myself as a pro really, because all I do is just play darts for the enjoyment of it. I think people forget where I started off as well. When I won at the Worlds, I was still just doing WDF (World Darts Federation). I’m just so happy to overcome all the hate and win.”

Sherrock was the 15th competitor to take on Littler in a line-up featuring WDF number one Mitchell Lawrie, Mark Pooke, who faced Phil Taylor in a professional event almost 20 years ago, and teenage prospect Jayden Walker, who has previously taken a leg off Littler at an exhibition event.

The field also included a number of amateur players from different walks of life, including a bin man, an Australian jockey and a Nando’s manager.

Sherrock revealed she will spend the money on a better life for her son, Rory.

“I’ll probably end up getting the house that he wants, stuff like that. As long as Rory is alright, that is my main focus for my future," she said.

Hearn denies accusation inclusion was unfair​

PDC chief Barry Hearn, who was involved in the audition process, defended the selection of competitors and insisted Sherrock had every right to take part.

Asked whether her inclusion was unfair, he denied the accusation: “No, not at all.

“She’s not a PDC Tour Card holder. She’s entitled to enter. Why should she be denied? She’s a well-known player and she’s a very good player. But Mitchell Lawrie is a very well-known player and an excellent player. Do you want just a series of 20 matches where someone can’t even throw a dart? No, of course we want excellence competing against excellence, and that’s what it was all about.”

The show, which was streamed globally on Netflix, represents another major milestone for darts as the sport continues to attract a wider audience following Littler's emergence.