By Islam El-Sakka
Fallon Sherrock defeated world darts champion Luke Littler in a one-off Netflix broadcast titled “Beat Luke Littler” to claim a prize of 501,000 pounds (approximately $670,000) on Friday night in Manchester.
Decisive leg
The event required Littler, the 19-year-old defending world champion, to face 20 amateur players over a single leg each. Sherrock, the 15th contestant, earned the first throw after landing closer to the bullseye. A maximum 180 left her on 43 while Littler remained on 142, and she finished on double-20 to secure the jackpot — the second-largest prize in darts history behind the world championship winner’s check of 1 million pounds.
‘Queen of the Palace’ strikes again
Sherrock, who earned the “Queen of the Palace” moniker by becoming the first woman to beat a man at the World Championship in 2019, said the victory was an opportunity to showcase women’s darts. “I’ve just beaten the best in the world, and I can’t say that very often,” she told Britain’s Press Association.
Amateur status draws criticism
Sherrock was eligible because she does not hold a PDC Tour card, classifying her as an amateur. The decision prompted backlash on social media, which she acknowledged: “I’m just so happy to overcome all the hate. I fit the criteria for this. I’ve never had a tour card, and I wouldn’t class myself as a pro really.”
Other challengers fall short
Littler dispatched 14 opponents before facing Sherrock, including an Australian jockey, a trash collector and a restaurant manager. Irish student Pearse Mackie missed a bullseye for victory in the eighth leg, and Mark Pooke, who once played Phil Taylor professionally, failed to take out 138 in the ninth.
Littler enjoys the spectacle
Despite the loss, Littler said he relished the experience. “I’ve enjoyed every bit of it — the advert, the photo shoots, everything,” he said, adding he would be keen to participate again.
