Makinley Cooper-Johnson, known as ‘Mighty Mak’, was among 24 contestants selected to take part in Beat Luke Littler, which was broadcast live on Friday, October 30.

The teenager was the 11th challenger to face Littler, but was unable to defeat the world number one, who checked out on 90 while Makinley had 227 points remaining.

Despite the result, Makinley said the experience had given him the determination to pursue a future in the sport.

Speaking to The Leader, he said: “Very surreal, to be honest, very surreal. It’s been amazing. It’s been the opportunity of a lifetime.”

Recalling the moments before walking onto the stage, Makinley said he had been feeling confident while practising backstage.

However, when his name was called, everything happened very quickly.

He explained: “They pulled your ball out of the bag and said your name and you ran. There was no waiting, the producers grabbed you and you were straight to the stage.

“I burst through and it was just butterflies. It was like when you come down a roller coaster.”

Wrexham lad Makinley Cooper-Johnson, 14, hopes to pursue darts professionally after appearing on Netflix's Beat Luke Littler (Image: supplied)

Makinley was greeted by cheers from the crowd, including his family, who had travelled to Manchester to support him.

He said: “I was just in the element. I had the fans behind me, they were chanting my name. It was lovely, to be honest, and he’s a nice bloke.”

Although he had hoped to beat Littler, Makinley said his main priority was entertaining the crowd and making the most of the opportunity.

He said: “When I got on that stage, it felt like I was there to entertain the fans, not to win a game of darts.

“Obviously winning would have been huge and it would have been amazing, but I’m not going to look at life as, okay, the milk is spilt.

“I was there to please the fans and to play like a showman, and I feel like I did.”

After watching his performance back on Netflix, Makinley admitted there were things he could have done differently.

He said: “I rushed through the last darts. I didn’t know when I was playing, but I saw it and that could have got my points down quicker.

“But all in all, I’m chuffed with the experience. Maybe I could have improved, but I’m happy with what I did.”

Wrexham lad Makinley Cooper-Johnson, 14, hopes to pursue darts professionally after appearing on Netflix's Beat Luke Littler (Image: supplied)

Since the show aired, Makinley has been recognised by members of the public and has received messages from fellow contestants and people involved in the darts community.

He said: “The show was over, people wanted signatures, pictures. I’ve got pictures with some of the biggest names that were there. It’s been amazing.

“The recognition’s been amazing, but the fans have been class.”

The experience has also opened up potential opportunities for the teenager, with darts academies making contact.

Asked whether the show had made him more determined to pursue darts professionally, he said: “110 per cent. We’re looking into doing it now because I’d love to carry on with this.”

Makinley’s mum, Stacie Cooper, who watched from the crowd, said seeing her son introduced onto the stage was a moment she would never forget.

She said: “It was an absolute dream to hear John McDonald, the MC, say Makinley’s name. It was just a dream come true.

14-year-old Wrexham darts player Makinley Cooper-Johnson with mum Stacie Cooper, dad Tom Johnson, and brothers Makenzie and Mitchell (Image: supplied)

“It was something that we never thought would happen. The pride that myself and the rest of the family felt was wow. I can’t put it into words.”

She added that people had travelled from across Wales to support her son, while the reaction back home in Wrexham had been overwhelming.

She said: “Whenever we go, somebody’s like, ‘Oh, we saw your son on Netflix. He did really well. We were cheering him on.’

“The support he’s had in the community alone has been massive.”

Looking ahead, she hopes the experience will be the beginning of something bigger for Makinley.

She said: “I think this experience has given him the push he needs to pursue his darts now.

“He’s definitely got a talent and now it’s time for him to build on that talent.

“And hopefully in a couple of years, possibly be on the stage with Luke Littler again.”