Fallon Sherrock stuns world No 1 Luke Littler on Netflix’s live Beat Luke Littler in Manchester
Fallon Sherrock defeated world number one Luke Littler at Manchester Central arena on Friday evening on Netflix’s live programme Beat Luke Littler, becoming the 15th challenger to beat Littler and collecting the £501,000 prize.
Netflix offered £501,000 to any of the 20 amateur challengers who could beat Littler in a single leg, and the event was broadcast opposite the final of the BBC’s The Celebrity Traitors; it was hosted at the packed arena by Gary Lineker and Richard Osman. Netflix had contingency plans for a second-place competition in case Littler lost in the early rounds, because organisers did not know when or whether he would be beaten.
Watched by hundreds of his fans, “the Nuke” had dispatched a range of contestants drawn from summer heats, including 14-year-olds Mackinley Cooper-Johnson and Jayden Walker, and former Irish youth player Pearse Mackle came close to claiming the prize. Competitors arrived in fancy dress and Littler progressed comfortably through multiple early opponents until his defeat.
It took about two-and-a-half hours for Littler to be beaten, the loss coming against Sherrock, the 15th contender on the night. Sherrock said she was “lost for words” after winning the prize and told Lineker: “I can’t put into words how much this means.… I’m really lost for words right now. It was a great moment. Give me an opportunity and I’ll take it every time … I’m really proud of myself.”
Sherrock’s inclusion had prompted debate because she holds an MBE, has played at the PDC World Darts Championship and won the inaugural Women’s World Matchplay in 2022, but Netflix defined eligibility as anyone who has not ever had a PDC tour card. Addressing those concerns, Sherrock said: “I mean, it’s been tough. 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.”
PDC president Barry Hearn, who was involved in the audition process, defended Sherrock’s participation, saying: “No, not at all. She’s not a PDC tour card holder. She’s entitled to enter. Why should she be denied?” Littler, after the defeat, described Sherrock as “world class. I’ve enjoyed every bit of it … everything leading up to this. Maybe Netflix we can do it again next year.”
The show was devised by Manchester-based production company Workerbee, which Netflix says helps it reach more working-class audiences and its drive to air live mainstream events; Workerbee manager Michelle Chappell said: “Rick Murray, our CEO, came up with the idea, which was just: ‘Wouldn’t it be amazing if someone could take on Luke Littler.’ It’s a sport event but a big show at the same time and it’s got a sense of humour and real jeopardy.”
Sources said audience numbers for Beat Luke Littler stayed steady despite the BBC competition and appeared to rise after The Celebrity Traitors ended, and the global production company Banijay — which owns the companies that make the two shows — emerged as a clear beneficiary of the night.