Luke Littler Netflix show slammed for having former World Championship star competing as ‘amateur’

Fallon Sherrock, who made it to the last 32 of the 2020 World Championships, is competing, as is Katie Sheldon, who has reached two Women’s World Matchplay quarter-finals.

The show will be broadcast live from the Manchester Central Convention Complex on October 30, but fans have criticised it for who is playing.

One wrote on social media: “Wasn’t it advertised as giving pub dart players a chance to beat Littler.

“Why am I seeing professional dart players who’ve played in majors? You’ve made a right mug out of anyone who queued for hours for this slop of a ‘competition’.”

Another said: “A total and utter farce this is.”

One other commented: “Advertising this as anyone can turn up, yet folk were handpicked, and people were getting turned away after waiting for hours.

“People only wanted to watch to see a chance of a guy from the pub winning, an air of relatability about it that’s now been stripped completely.”

Thousands of fans took part in a lengthy audition process in London and Manchester in September, beginning with an attempt to complete a leg of 501 in 24 darts or fewer.

Successful players then progressed to an interview with the show’s producers, before a final stage assessment with a judging panel.

The panel included 16-time world darts champion Phil Taylor, Matchroom founder Barry Hearn and professional darts player and TV pundit Laura Turner.

The show was announced in late July, with Netflix saying the show will give a chance for an “amateur” player to beat the 19-year-old.

In a statement announcing the show, Netflix wrote: “The rules are simple: one night, one chance, and one perfect leg of 501.

“If an amateur can defeat darts prodigy Luke Littler, they will walk away with a life-changing £501,000.

“Produced in partnership with the PDC, the governing body behind professional darts, the show will be rooted in the authentic world of competitive darts, bringing the sport’s electric atmosphere live on Netflix.

“To kick off the launch, Netflix has officially opened the nationwide recruitment search to find the 20 competitors brave enough to step up.

“The call-out is being led by a video message from Luke Littler himself, laying down the gauntlet to the public.”

Speaking about the show, the Nuke previously said: “Everyone thinks they can beat me. Now they get a chance to prove it.”

The production will air live on October 30, being hosted by Gary Lineker and Richard Osman.

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