Littler expected ‘pub players’ on Netflix darts show

Luke Littler said he had expected to face “pub players” on his Netflix darts show, but recognised more than half the contestants once the line-up was announced. The 24-player event offered a £501,000 prize and ended with amateur player Fallon Sherrock beating the world number one in a single leg.

The format of *Beat Luke Littler* allowed anyone without a Professional Darts Corporation Tour card to enter. The field included an Australian jockey, a bin man and a restaurant manager, as well as leading junior players and Sherrock, who reached the last 32 of the 2019 PDC World Championship.

“Before I saw the line-up, I thought it was just pub players,” Littler said. He added that he knew just over half the contestants, including junior players Mitchell Lawrie and Zach Griffiths, and Sherrock.

Sherrock qualified through auditions and was then selected by a public vote to play at Manchester Central. She won the bull to throw first and finished in 15 darts, claiming the prize after Littler had beaten 14 challengers.

Littler, who is preparing for the Grand Slam of Darts, described the Netflix event as a “learning curve”, saying he had been playing back-to-back in the heat and going on and off stage. He said he was open to taking part in another show.