Fallon Sherrock beat world darts No 1 Luke Littler on Friday night to win the £501,000 prize on Netflix's live show Beat Luke Littler at Manchester Central.
Sherrock was the 15th of the 20 challengers to face Littler, and it took about two and a half hours for Littler to lose. The event, hosted by Gary Lineker and Richard Osman, was watched by hundreds of the world champion's fans, with contestants including 14-year-olds Mackinley Cooper-Johnson and Jayden Walker. Former Irish youth darts player Pearse Mackle came close to claiming the prize before Sherrock's winning leg.
The format gave each amateur one leg to beat the world champion. Netflix had prepared contingency plans for a second-place competition in case Littler lost early, and the show ran against the final of the BBC's The Celebrity Traitors on one of the biggest nights of the year for British television. It was the streamer's first UK live entertainment event.
There was some controversy when Sherrock was revealed as a competitor earlier this month: she has an MBE for services to darts, has played at the PDC World Darts Championship and won the inaugural Women's World Matchplay in 2022. Some people claimed she was not a true amateur. Netflix classed anyone who has never held a PDC tour card as eligible.
Sherrock acknowledged the backlash. "I mean, it's been tough," she said. "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 the contest. Asked whether Sherrock's inclusion was unfair, he said: "No, not at all. She's not a PDC tour card holder. She's entitled to enter. Why should she be denied?"
Her victory was greeted with huge cheers and a hug from her young son. Sherrock told Lineker: "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." Littler called her performance "world class" and said he had enjoyed every bit of it, adding: "Maybe Netflix we can do it again next year."
Sources said audience numbers stayed steady despite the competition from The Celebrity Traitors and appeared to rise after the BBC show ended. The programme was devised by Manchester-based production company Workerbee, whose managing director Michelle Chappell said her CEO Rick Murray came up with the idea of someone taking on Littler. There was one guaranteed winner in the night's clash of shows: Banijay, the global production company that owns the firms behind both programmes.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Netflix's first UK live entertainment event produced a high-stakes moment, testing whether the streamer can challenge traditional broadcasters for live audiences.
- The debate over Sherrock's amateur status highlights how live-event formats define eligibility and who gets a shot at big prize money.
- How the show performed against The Celebrity Traitors could shape whether Netflix repeats the format.
Background
Beat Luke Littler gave 20 amateur challengers a single leg to beat world champion Luke Littler, with £501,000 on offer. The contestants were recruited in summer heats, and the live event at Manchester Central was hosted by Gary Lineker and Richard Osman. It went out on the same night as the final of the BBC's The Celebrity Traitors, with both shows made by companies owned by Banijay.
Key Perspectives
Fallon Sherrock: says she fits the eligibility criteria because she has never had a PDC tour card, does not class herself as a professional and plays darts for enjoyment.
Some people who questioned her place in the field: argued she was not a true amateur because of her MBE, her appearances at the PDC World Darts Championship and her 2022 Women's World Matchplay title.
Barry Hearn, PDC president: defended her entry, saying she is not a PDC tour card holder, is entitled to enter and should not be denied.
Luke Littler: called her performance "world class" and suggested the event could return next year.
What to Watch
- Whether Netflix commissions another live UK event, following Littler's suggestion the show could return.
- Any changes to eligibility rules after the debate over Sherrock's amateur status.
- Whether official audience data confirms reports that numbers held steady and rose after The Celebrity Traitors ended.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedFallon Sherrock beat Luke Littler to win the £501,000 Netflix prize.World news | The Guardian: “Fallon Sherrock won £501,000 by beating Luke Littler on Friday.”
- SupportedPDC president Barry Hearn defended Sherrock’s eligibility after backlash over her amateur status.World news | The Guardian: “There was some controversy when it was revealed she was competing earlier this month: after all, she has an MBE for services to darts, and some people claimed she was not a true amateur”
- SupportedThe event was Netflix’s live show Beat Luke Littler at Manchester Central on Friday night.World news | The Guardian: “the packed event at Manchester Central arena, hosted by Gary Lineker and Richard Osman”
- SupportedSherrock was the 15th of 20 challengers to face Littler, and it took about two and a half hours for him to lose.World news | The Guardian: “not just £501,000 to any of the 20 amateur challengers who managed to beat Littler in a single leg of darts”
- SupportedEach amateur challenger had one leg to beat Littler.World news | The Guardian: “any of the 20 amateur challengers who managed to beat Littler in a single leg of darts”
- SupportedSherrock said she saw the backlash and negative comments, fit the eligibility criteria, and did not consider herself a professional.World news | The Guardian: ““I mean, it’s been tough,” Sherrock said after her victory in Manchester. “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.””
- SupportedHearn said Sherrock was entitled to enter because she was not a PDC tour card holder.World news | The Guardian: “Asked whether Sherrock’s inclusion was unfair, Hearn said: “No, not at all. She’s not a PDC tour card holder. She’s entitled to enter. Why should she be denied?””
- SupportedSherrock’s win was greeted by huge cheers and a hug from her young son.World news | The Guardian: “her win, which was greeted by huge cheers from the delighted audience and a hug from her young son.”
- SupportedSherrock told Lineker, “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.”World news | The Guardian: ““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.””
- SupportedLittler called Sherrock’s performance “world class” and said he had enjoyed every bit of the event.World news | The Guardian: “Littler, a magnanimous loser, said Sherrock had been “world class. I’ve enjoyed every bit of it … everything leading up to this. Maybe Netflix we can do it again next year.””
- SupportedAudience numbers stayed steady despite competition from The Celebrity Traitors and appeared to rise after the BBC show ended.World news | The Guardian: “sources said audience numbers stayed steady (they could vote for the order the players appeared in) despite the competition from The Celebrity Traitors, and appeared to rise after the end of the BBC show.”
- SupportedBanijay owns the companies behind both programmes.World news | The Guardian: “the global production company Banijay – which owns the companies that make the two shows.”