Fallon Sherrock beats Luke Littler to win £501,000

Fallon Sherrock beat Luke Littler at the live “Beat Luke Littler” event in Manchester, taking home the £501,000 prize. She was included because she does not hold a PDC Tour card, joining amateur and lower-level players hoping to upset Littler. Until Sherrock’s intervention, he had looked largely untroubled by his opponents.

The format was straightforward: 20 players of varying levels faced Littler in one leg each, with the first to beat him winning the announced prize. Sherrock moved ahead, landed a 180 and then finished on double 20. Littler had hit just one 180 against his first 12 challengers, and had not needed his best game to get through the earlier legs. This time, Sherrock made the most of her opportunity.

Littler’s run before that defeat illustrated the challenge. He had, among other wins, seen off 14-year-old Jayden Walker in 12 darts, checking out from 158. Walker had beaten Luke Humphries, then the world No 2, when he was 12. The field also included a range of other entrants: an Australian jockey and a Nando’s manager had not troubled Littler, while Mitchell Lawrie, the World Darts Federation’s No 1, did not make it to the oche.

Sherrock, by contrast, brought a notable record into the event: in 2020, she reached the third round of the World Championship. After her win, she told Netflix: “I can’t put into words how much it means.” Visibly emotional, she added: “I’m really lost for words right now. It’s a great moment.” Her son was watching.

Littler told Netflix: “I couldn’t give him a chance.” He also said he had enjoyed the whole event, from the build-up to the competition, and floated the possibility of returning the following year. Sherrock’s victory brought to an end a run of legs in which Littler had faced no serious threat.