Makinley Cooper-Johnson, known as Mighty Mak, is among 24 contestants selected for Beat Luke Littler, which will be broadcast live on Netflix on Friday, October 30.

Makinley only started playing darts three years ago, aged 11, after his dad and brother helped spark his interest in the sport.

He said: “My dad’s always had a passion. He used to play with his mates, but it went big about three years ago in this household.”

Practising in the family living room, Makinley began to realise he had a natural talent for the game.

14-year-old Wrexham boy, Makinley Cooper-Johnson, will be competing live on Netflix's new show Beat Luke Little (Image: supplied)

He explained: “It must have been about five or six months ago and I’d realised that I wasn’t really losing anymore.

“So I thought, well, I’ll start playing more calmly just to see if I’m still winning. And I haven’t really stopped.”

However, his journey to Netflix almost ended before it began. After applying for the show as a joke, Makinley was surprised to receive an invitation to auditions in Manchester.

When he arrived with his mum, the queue was so long that they decided to leave.

He recalled: “We were walking back to the car. We were going home.

“And then this lovely man in a high-vis, who I predict was a security steward, told me that if I was under 18, there was a line further to the left.”

14-year-old Wrexham boy, Makinley Cooper-Johnson, will be competing live on Netflix's new show Beat Luke Little (Image: supplied)

The shorter queue allowed him to continue, eventually progressing through several stages of auditions.

During the process, he met darts legend Phil Taylor, promoter Barry Hearn and former professional player Laura Turner.

“It was very surreal,” he said. “I’m chatting with some of the biggest idols I’ve ever known.”

14-year-old Wrexham boy, Makinley Cooper-Johnson, will be competing live on Netflix's new show Beat Luke Little (Image: supplied)

After further interviews and filming, Makinley received the news he had been hoping for through an unexpected video call.

He said: “I was in bed one day.

“Suddenly, mum comes into the room and she’s like, we’ve got a phone call coming through.

“Then she’s like, ‘Hello, Phil Taylor.’ I’m up!”

The darts legend personally delivered the news that Makinley had secured a place in the live show.

Makinley with his mum Stacie Cooper, dad Tom Johnson, and sister Amira-Faith (Image: supplied)

His mum, Stacie Cooper, said: “We didn’t even know Makinley had applied, and to be honest, he didn’t tell us until he actually got the email back offering him the audition.

“We were pleased that he’d got to the first auditions, but we didn’t ever think anything like this would come of it.”

Recalling the moment Phil Taylor confirmed his place, she added: “It was just such an emotional time, to think that all the weeks leading up to everything, all the interviews and going to Manchester, it actually comes to the point where he had got through to the live show. It was amazing.”

14-year-old Wrexham boy, Makinley Cooper-Johnson, will be competing live on Netflix's new show Beat Luke Little (Image: Netflix)

Makinley’s dad Tom Johnson, two older brothers Makenzie Cooper, 23, and Mitchell Cooper, 21, and his grandma have been allocated tickets to watch him compete, while his mum will accompany him to the event.

He promised his brother Mitchell a new car if he wins the £501k prize.

Despite being one of the youngest contestants, Makinley is determined to make a name for himself rather than follow directly in Littler’s footsteps.

He said: “I don’t want to be the next Luke Littler. Obviously, I respect what he’s done at such a young age and he’s absolutely amazing, but I want to be me.

“I want to be Makinley Cooper-Johnson.”

Looking ahead, the teenager hopes to become a professional darts player and one day win a world championship.

14-year-old Wrexham boy, Makinley Cooper-Johnson, will be competing live on Netflix's new show Beat Luke Little (Image: supplied)

His mum said: “We're so proud of the fact that he’s followed his own dream. He’s always been very strong-willed in what he wants to do.

“We’ve always supported him regardless of his choices and let him be his own person, and we're so proud that he’s actually got as far as he has just by being him.”

Makinley also had a message for others in Wrexham, he said: “Just chase your dreams, man. Never give up on them.”

Beat Luke Littler will be streamed live on Netflix on Friday, October 30.