Fallon Sherrock’s appearance on the Netflix show “Beat Luke Littler” continues to spark debate. The 32-year-old Englishwoman won an astonishing £501,000 on Friday night by beating Luke Littler, but former Lakeside world champion Mark Webster says Sherrock should never have been selected in the first place. The Sky Sports analyst believes the organisers made the wrong choice by allowing an experienced professional to take part in a show centred mainly on amateurs.

Sherrock produced a sensational finish to “Beat Luke Littler” in Manchester on Friday night. In a 501 leg, she defeated the two-time world champion and claimed the second-highest individual prize in darts history. Only Littler has ever earned more from a single win, when he received £1 million for winning the World Darts Championship earlier this year.

Sherrock’s victory once again brought her worldwide attention. However, she is far from an unknown figure in darts. In December 2019, she made history as the first woman ever to win a match at the PDC World Darts Championship. She reached the third round and became an international name.

“The Queen of the Palace” has since broken several more barriers. She became the first woman to reach the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts and, in 2023, the first woman to hit a televised nine-darter.

Yet during the Netflix show, Sherrock was introduced to viewers as a hairdresser from Milton Keynes. Although she was eligible under the official rules because she does not hold a PDC Tour Card, her presence drew criticism.

Webster defends Sherrock but questions her selection

Mark Webster also has reservations about the organisers’ choice. However, the former world champion told Sky Sports that Sherrock herself did nothing wrong.

"The backlash Fallon got is nothing she's done wrong,” Webster said. “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.”

The Welshman also said Sherrock showed she can perform under pressure. “It was a good leg. But look, I don't think the backlash will bother her. She's got a few quid, hasn't she? So she'll just crack on. People forget about these things. She just needs to get herself ready for the rest of the year now.”

Webster expects the huge prize to have a positive impact on the rest of her career. “She'll be quite chilled. I'm not saying she has financial burdens, but that's going to really help going forward - doing things for her."

Frustration over missed opportunity for 15-year-old talent

Sherrock’s participation was not Webster’s only concern. He also believes the show’s format could have been better. Several contestants had the chance to beat Littler in a single 501 leg, but not everyone in the announced line-up actually got to play.

Fourteen-year-old Jayden Walker, whom some darts fans already compare to Littler, did take to the stage. The young talent had previously taken a leg off Littler in an exhibition match, but failed to repeat the feat on Friday night.

The evening was even more disappointing for Mitchell Lawrie. The 15-year-old Scot, who tops the WDF world rankings, had been heavily promoted beforehand as one of Littler’s biggest challengers. In the end, however, he did not even get the chance to throw a dart.

Webster believes the organisers should have given the remaining contestants a chance as well. “I don't think she should have been able to play. I didn't like the way it was made as an amateur beats Luke Littler, and a lot of them weren't amateurs. Fallon's a professional player.”

“I think Mitchell Lawrie was due to play as well, but he didn't get on. I do think they should have played out the remaining legs and then they could have chipped away at Fallon's money if they'd won. So one more win, they split Fallon's money, just for a bit of jeopardy.”

Despite criticism, Webster praises Netflix production

Although Webster questions the contestant selection and the way the top prize was awarded, he looks back on the first edition of “Beat Luke Littler” positively. “I thought it was a brilliant show. The production was fantastic,” Webster said.

His criticism is aimed mainly at the way the contestants were chosen. “The concept of it was good. I just think the selection process is kind of a bit of a grey area.”

Webster’s comments add to the debate that followed the Netflix show. Sherrock made a fortune with her victory, but questions remain over whether a player of her experience belonged in a programme designed to give amateurs the chance to take on the world’s best player.