This article first appeared in Radio Times magazine.
We’ve all wondered how we’d measure up against the sporting greats – playing a hole against Tiger Woods, a service game versus Serena Williams, sharing a frame with Ronnie O’Sullivan. Unfortunately, most of us will never find out. But in a new live show on Netflix, 20 amateurs – including an Army major, a roofer, a pharmacist, a teenage school pupil and a jockey – will get their chance when they take on the world’s best darts player.
Beat Luke Littler features a £501,000 prize for the person who can defeat the world champion live on television in one leg down from 501 – three darts at a time, finishing in a double. “It could be Bob from down the road beating me to win half a million quid,” says Littler who reached the final of the World Darts Championship when he was 16 and returned a year later to become the youngest darts world champion.
“Once I see them throw some practice darts I’ll know if they’ve got a chance, but I’ve got to be on it straight away. I can’t give them an opportunity to beat me. It’s one leg and if my opponent’s throwing first in the first game, then there’s pressure already.”
Pressure has never been a problem for this darts prodigy, nicknamed “The Nuke”. Still just 19 and hoping for a third successive world crown in December, he is already considered one of the greats whose meteoric rise has helped darts enjoy a boom in popularity.
This means the Netflix show has a suitably star-studded cast, with Gary Lineker as host, and TV presenter and darts fan Richard Osman giving expert analysis. Auditions were held in London and Manchester, with some hopefuls travelling from France, Germany and Australia to take part, while darts legend Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor helped whittle down the final 20.
“People were queuing for hours, which is crazy,” says Littler. “Everyone wants to try to get to the main show. A few of my mates joked about trying to qualify but I’ve got no idea who I’m up against.”
Littler, who grew up in Warrington, started playing darts while he was still in nappies. When he was 18 months old, his father bought him a magnetic board from a pound shop. The future star was quickly onto the real thing, hitting 180s at the age of six. By 11, he was encouraged to pursue darts as a career.
It’s fair to say that pound-shop purchase has proven a good investment. The teenager is the first player to earn more than £3 million in prize money and he could become only the third to win all eight majors with a victory at this month’s European Championship.
But being the face of the sport means his fame goes well beyond darts and that comes with its challenges. “It’s tough when everyone expects you to win everything,” he says. “In darts, you can’t always win. There are many good players on the tour and most will play their best against you because they want to beat the best. I’ve always got to be ready.
“I’ve played darts my whole life,” he adds. “I always wanted to play at Ally Pally [Alexandra Palace] and win the World Championships. I’ve achieved that but now I want to win more.”
Littler’s dominance has seen some crowds turn against him, booing and whistling during matches, which left the teenage sensation threatening to boycott events in the Netherlands due to the hostility.
There may not be any boos during the show but with a six-figure prize up for grabs if he’s beaten, Littler can expect the studio audience to be on the side of the underdog when he takes to the stage.
He’ll be practising, he says, the way he does for any other competition. “Just because it’s a TV show, I’m not going to change my practice routine. It’s still, hopefully, 20 games to play. I’m looking forward to it. I don’t need to put too much pressure on myself, but if I get past the first two or three games then I’ll be on a roll.”
Beat Luke Littler is on Friday 30 October at 7pm on Netflix.
The latest issue of Radio Times is out now – subscribe here.
Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast