Fallon Sherrock’s £501,000 Luke Littler win divides darts pundits

Fallon Sherrock’s £501,000 victory over Luke Littler has divided darts pundits, with Mark Webster questioning her selection for the Netflix show and Barry Hearn defending her right to compete.

Sherrock beat the two-time world champion in a single leg of 501 during Beat Luke Littler in Manchester on Friday 30 October.

The 32-year-old met the entry criteria because she did not hold a PDC Tour Card. The disagreement centres on whether a player with her achievements should have featured in a challenge presented as an opportunity for amateurs.

Fallon Sherrock selection questioned by Mark Webster

Former world champion Webster said the criticism should not be directed at Sherrock herself.

“The backlash Fallon got is nothing she’s done wrong,” he told Sky Sports.

“Ultimately, I don’t think she should have been selected to play, but then you can’t blame Fallon for going to try and win half a million pounds in fair play.”

His objection was to the distinction between eligibility and experience.

“I didn’t like the way it was made as an amateur beats Luke Littler, and a lot of them weren’t amateurs,” Webster said. “Fallon’s a professional player.”

Sherrock became the first woman to win a match at the PDC World Championship in December 2019 and later became the first woman to reach the Grand Slam of Darts quarter-finals.

Those achievements explain why her introduction as a hairdresser from Milton Keynes attracted attention. Our Beat Luke Littler format guide explains how the challenge worked.

Barry Hearn defends Sherrock’s eligibility

Hearn, who was involved in the audition process, rejected the suggestion that Sherrock should have been excluded.

“No, not at all. She’s not a PDC Tour Card holder. She’s entitled to enter. Why should she be denied?” he told Sky Sports.

He also pointed to the presence of other accomplished players in the line-up, including Mitchell Lawrie.

“We want excellence competing against excellence, and that’s what it was all about,” Hearn said.

His defence rests on the eligibility criteria: Sherrock’s experience did not prevent her from entering under the rules used for the show.

Glen Durrant says Fallon Sherrock broke no rules

Former Premier League champion Glen Durrant also defended Sherrock, while suggesting a future edition could learn from the first.

“Fallon broke no rules and it’s been disappointing to see the negativity aimed at the decision and to Fallon,” he told Daily Star Sport.

“I’d like to see another one. It felt like entertainment meets darts. Learn lessons from this event and something creative for 2027, yes please.”

Sherrock acknowledged that the response had been difficult, but maintained that she qualified to take part.

“It’s been tough. Because obviously I do see the backlash and I do see all the negative comments,” she said in comments carried by the Daily Star. “But at the end of the day, I fit the criteria for this.”

She also said she had never held a Tour Card and did not consider herself a professional, describing darts as something she plays for enjoyment.

Why the Netflix show’s presentation matters

Matthew Edgar’s criticism focused on how Sherrock was introduced. As Dartsnews reported, he questioned the emphasis on her hairdressing background rather than her extensive World Championship experience.

Webster also wanted the remaining challengers to receive their opportunity after Sherrock’s win. He suggested that further successful players could have shared the prize, while praising the show’s production.

The debate therefore involves two separate questions: whether Sherrock was eligible, and whether the programme adequately explained the standard of players taking part. Her eligibility is established; the selection and presentation remain matters of opinion.

Her £501,000 prize was described by Sky Sports as the second-largest in darts history. For more on her competitive standing, read our Fallon Sherrock ranking guide.

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