FALLON SHERROCK stunned Luke Littler to win the £501,000 jackpot in the Netflix extravaganza.
The Queen of the Palace was the 15th challenger in the one-off single-leg shootout and she showed her enduring class with her second match dart on double 20.
The premise of the night was that if one of the 20 amateur players beat the world No.1, they would earn the mega money – but if Littler beat everyone, he would take home the jackpot.
It is the second-biggest payout in the sport’s history, with only the £1million for the world champion representing a higher amount.
And Sherrock – a former hairdresser from Milton Keynes – hit the checkout when it mattered, once again in front of a global audience.
Arguably this was a bigger achievement than beating Ted Evetts and Mensur Suljovic during the 2019-20 PDC World Darts Championship — she is the first and only woman to beat men on stage at world level.
Sherrock was the highest-profile player in the amateur field and there was criticism online that she had been selected – given that many thought it would be only for ‘pub players’.
Even if she was there for publicity purposes, Sherrock was the one throwing the darts and she caused the upset of the night at a time when Littler appeared unbeatable.
Her victory meant five other contestants, including Scottish teen sensation Mitchell Lawrie, never got the chance to face the best player in the world.
The 32-year-old fought back tears after she claimed the life-changing money, particularly as her young son Rory ran on to the stage to embrace the tungsten traiblazer.
The 2022 Women’s World Matchplay champion received a golden trophy off Littler and according to the MC John McDonald, who had come out of retirement for the night, the title of becoming the first “I Beat Luke Littler Champion.”.
Littler had steamrolled the previous 14 contestants, though Pearse Mackle, a 21-year-old student from Ireland, had a dart for the Bull to win the prize in leg eight.
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He was the first person to get that close – but the dozy TV cameramen missed the attempt, lingering too long on singer Olly Murs in the posh seats instead.
Barry Hearn, president of Matchroom Sport, and Youtuber Angryginge, a mate of Littler’s, presented the cheque on the oche.
Interviewed on stage by ex-England footballer Gary Lineker, Sherrock said: “It’s insane. I cannot put into words how much this means.
“The first time Rory had been to anything and he has seen me win.
“Sorry, I am lost for words now. A great moment and I will memorize this forever.
“Give me an opportunity and I will take it every time. I am really proud of myself right now. I rise to the occasion, don’t I?”
Littler said: “Brilliant. That’s what one person had to do, win the bull and then go out in 15. That’s what she did. World class.
“I have enjoyed every bit of it, the advert, photoshoot, everything leading up to this has very good. Maybe Netflix we can do it again next year?”
If Littler felt any nerves then he did not show it, dispensing with the part-timers with ease, often checking out on his favourite double 10.
Until Sherrock came on stage – she won a public vote with German Jarod Becker – it had felt a bit flat and was becoming an anti-climax in front of 2,500 fans at Manchester Central.
Among those who had tried but failed were a business adviser, professional jockey, two 14-year-old schoolboys, an Irishwoman, bin man, French student, electrical engineer and a Nando’s restaurant manager.
Netflix’s production was incredibly slick, a significant improvement on what Sky Sports and ITV offer for their coverage of the major titles.
Twenty-four players had been picked from the nationwide auditions that involved 25,000 hopefuls and they were chosen for their winning spirit, ‘killer’ darts name, X Factor-style tear-jerking story and hitting 501 points in 24 darts or fewer.
One thing TV viewers might not have noticed during the breaks between each challenger was that Littler could be sometimes seen having practice throws to ensure his arm was warm and supple.