By Salma El-Sakka
Fallon Sherrock defeated reigning world champion Luke Littler in a single leg of darts on Friday to claim a £501,000 prize in the Netflix-televised event "Beat Luke Littler" at Manchester Central.
Event format and selection
The event featured 16 amateurs chosen from 25,000 applicants, plus eight experienced players voted in by viewers. Sherrock won a public vote against Germany's Jarod Becker with 75% support to earn her spot. She started first after being closest to the bull, hit a 180 maximum, and finished on double 20 in a 15-dart leg.
Sherrock stuns Littler
Sherrock, 32, a former PDC World Championship quarter-finalist and 21-time Women's Series winner, was the only amateur to beat Littler after he had dispatched 14 other challengers. Littler, 19, praised Sherrock's performance, saying she played world-class darts.
Other competitors and atmosphere
Other notable participants included 14-year-old Jayden Walker, who pushed Littler to a 12-dart leg, and Ireland's Pearse Mackle, who missed a match-winning bullseye. The event, hosted by Gary Lineker with pundits Lee Mack, Richard Osman and Laura Turner, aimed to bring darts to a broader audience. Littler had pledged to donate the prize to charity.
Reaction
Sherrock, whose son Rory watched from the crowd, called the victory "insane" and a moment she will memorize forever. PDC president Barry Hearn presented the oversized cheque to end the night.
