Fallon Sherrock defeated reigning world champion Luke Littler in a single leg of darts on Friday to secure a £501,000 cash prize. Broadcast live globally on Netflix, the Beat Luke Littler event featured amateur players challenging the world number one in a one-leg face-off at Manchester Central.
A Dramatic Finale in Manchester
Participants could not be members of the PDC Tour, which allowed Sherrock to compete due to her status. She previously made history by becoming the first female player to defeat a male opponent at the PDC World Championship during a run to the last 32 in December 2019. After Littler had already defeated 14 amateurs, some as young as 14, he faced a stern test against the 32-year-old Sherrock, a 21-time winner on the PDC Women’s Series.
Sherrock won the bull to throw first and hit a 180, marking only the third maximum of the night, before sealing the victory and the grand prize with a double 20 checkout. Her son Rory was among the crowd watching her triumph.
Sherrock expressed her disbelief, stating, “It’s insane, I can’t put it into words of what it means, especially having Rory here – it’s his first time at anything and he has seen me win. It’s a great moment and I will memorise this forever. Give me an opportunity and I will take it every time. I’m really proud of myself, I rise to the occasion.”
Nineteen-year-old Littler, who won the PDC World Championship in each of the past two years, praised his opponent, saying, “Brilliant, that’s what one person had to do – win the bull and go out in 15 [darts] and that’s what she did, world class.”
Road to the Showdown
The event drew 25,000 applicants. The initial selection stage required hopefuls to check down from 501 in 24 darts or less, followed by an interview before a three-person panel comprising 16-time world champion Phil Taylor, PDC president Barry Hearn, and darts pundit Laura Turner. Sixteen players were selected outright, while the eight most experienced competitors entered a Netflix public vote.
Sherrock secured 75% of the vote against Germany’s Jarod Becker to earn her place against Littler. Her past accolades include reaching round three of the PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace seven years ago, earning £25,000 after defeating Ted Evetts and Mensur Suljovic before losing to Chris Dobey. That achievement earned her the moniker ‘The Queen of the Palace’ and an MBE for services to darts in 2023.
Sherrock’s victory immediately concluded the event, preventing the five remaining amateurs from taking their shot at the £501,000 prize.
Amateurs Enjoy the Spotlight
Ireland’s Pearse Mackle, a 21-year-old university student from County Cavan who competes on the PDC Development Tour, came close to an upset earlier in the evening but missed a match-winning bullseye by hitting the nine instead. For most of the night, Littler cruised through his matches in pursuit of the prize, which he had intended to donate to charity.
Hosted by former England footballer Gary Lineker alongside comedian Lee Mack and television presenter Richard Osman on the punditry team, the night brought darts to a broader audience. The action featured elaborate walk-ons announced by John McDonald, who retired as the main PDC master of ceremonies after the 2026 World Championship final. Notable challengers included 14-year-old Jayden Walker, who hit a maximum 180 and a 158 checkout, and eighteen-year-old binman Taylon Forrester, who emerged from a dumpster on his way to the oche.
Additional entrants included Melbourne jockey Zac Spain, French competitor Theodore Wallich, 57-year-old Mark Pooke, 14-year-old Makinley Cooper-Johnson, and Will Kemp, who returned to play following a heart attack earlier in the year. Lineker had referred to Sherrock as a “hairdresser from Milton Keynes,” but after Littler spent more than two hours on stage and experienced fatigue, Sherrock capitalized to win in a 15-dart leg during match number 15. Barry Hearn returned to the stage to present Sherrock with a giant novelty cheque for her victory.
