Fallon Sherrock defeats Luke Littler to land £501,000 prize in one-leg event

Fallon Sherrock won the second biggest prize in darts history as she claimed £501,000 by beating Luke Littler in a one-off leg.

The 32-year-old was crowned the champion of Netflix show ‘Beat Luke Littler’ when she took out 501 in 15 darts.

She was the 15th competitor out of 20 to take on the double world champion after he had won 14 straight legs.

While Littler made light work of some of the amateurs, which included an Australian jockey, a bin man and a Nando’s manager, he came up short against a top quality opponent.

Sherrock threw a 180 and checked out with him stranded on 124.

Victory, and over half a million pounds, throws Sherrock back into the limelight again, seven years after she made history by becoming the first woman to win at the World Championship on her way to the third round.

Her place in the show attracted some criticism given her stature in the game, but she was delighted to prove her worth.

“I’m over the moon, I can’t believe I have just won a leg of darts and won half a million,” she told the Press Association.

Littler took on an Australian jockey, a bin man and a Nando’s manager (Peter Byrne/PA)
Littler took on an Australian jockey, a bin man and a Nando’s manager (Peter Byrne/PA) (PA Wire)

“This is definitely one of those top moments because it’s like an opportunity to kind of show off the women’s stars, and I feel like I’ve kind of taken the opportunity again.

“I’ve shown in the past women what can do as well and you know it’s definitely going to be put up there because it’s definitely the biggest prize money that I’ve won.

“I’ve just beaten the best in the world, and I can’t say that very often.

“When I hit the 180, I was like, ‘right, just relax and just go for the shot out because this is probably the only shot that you’re going to get’.

“And I took it.”

Littler was not at his best in a truncated format which saw him one leg every 10 minutes.

Irish student Pearse Mackie, who was the eighth contestant to face Littler, was the first to have a dart for victory, but he missed bullseye to claim what would have been a memorable win.

Mark Pooke, who played Phil Taylor in a professional match almost 20 years ago, also had darts to win in the ninth leg, but could not take out 138.

Despite, having his pride dented by losing, the 19-year-old is keen to go again.

Luke Littler beat 14 contestants in the one-leg event in Manchester (Peter Byrne/PA)
Luke Littler beat 14 contestants in the one-leg event in Manchester (Peter Byrne/PA) (PA Wire)

“Yeah, (she was) brilliant. That’s what one person had to do. Win the bull and go out in 15,” Littler said on stage.

“That’s exactly what Fallon did. I hit a 140 to leave 142.

“When she missed the first going tops, I was like, ‘give me a chance’. She didn’t and world class.

“I’ve enjoyed every bit of it. The advert, the photo shoots, everything. It’s been good and maybe Netflix we can do it again next year.”