Almost a week after Netflix's 'Beat Luke Littler' aired, the event is still generating debate — and former professional Paul Nicholson believes the streaming giant showed darts a glimpse of its future. The event in Manchester gave amateur players and other selected contestants the chance to beat Luke Littler in a single leg and win £501,000, with Fallon Sherrock ultimately walking away with the top prize.
Writing in an extensive analysis for Sporting Life, Nicholson praised the production's visual approach, particularly the central walk-on. "I was impressed with the visual side of that presenting desk and maybe that's where darts goes from here rather than being inside a studio at the back of the Ally Pally," he said. "So, when we go to the World Championship in a new room at Alexandra Palace, if they do not do a central walk-on, then they've missed an opportunity, because that really was eye-catching." He added: "Visually, it looked 10 times better than the usual kind of walk-on from the side. The whole arena and atmosphere was great."
Netflix chose Gary Lineker to front the show, joined on the panel by Richard Osman, Laura Turner and Lee Mack. Nicholson felt the calibre of names mattered. "I think it was big for darts that we had someone as big as Gary Lineker presenting it with a panel of Richard Osman, Laura Turner and Lee Mack because it shows how we've become more mainstream." But he questioned Lineker's darts knowledge: "When he's fronting football coverage he can obviously lean on a lot of his experience but he didn't have enough knowledge about darts." He praised Turner — "Thankfully Laura was there for darts knowledge and she was magnificent in giving the panel the credibility it needed" — and Osman: "I thought Richard was fantastic due to his clear passion for the sport." Lee Mack, however, drew criticism: "Lee Mack was a bit out of place and didn't add anything positive to the show. I know he's played celebrity darts in the past but if you were going to cut someone from that desk, it would be him."
Nicholson also highlighted elements he found unnecessary, such as "someone coming out of a bin, and then Jayden Walker being dressed up as a schoolboy," but overall called the production "excellent." He enjoyed the contestant profile videos: "I did like aspects like the profile videos for every contestant to give it that X Factor feel because ultimately that's how it was pitched to the public." He was less impressed by the promotional trailer set in a traditional British social club. "I didn't like that the trailer was set in a social club because darts has changed so much now," he said, suggesting it could have been filmed "in an academy surrounded by kids and parents." He added: "Darts has moved on and although we still play in social clubs and pubs, the future superstars aren't coming from there anymore. They come from academies and they come from schools." Given Netflix had selected top teenage talent including Mitchell Lawrie and Jayden Walker, Nicholson said: "I don't think Netflix read the room brilliantly, especially as they'd selected top teenage talent to appear on the show."
Looking ahead, Nicholson sees potential for the format to expand. "I think as a concept for Netflix, it's very, very good. If they're going to do 'Beat Luke Littler' just this once and leave it, then fair enough," he said, but suggested a series: "Beat Ronnie O'Sullivan in a frame of snooker or even Beat Andy Murray in a game of tennis, for example." He also believes the concept proves there is mileage in a Royal Rumble of Darts. "Whether the PDC ever do it, I'm not sure, but maybe it's something more up Netflix's street, especially because of their partnership with WWE. It's a match made in heaven isn't it? And they could even use star wrestlers to cross promote it." Noting Littler's recent interactions with WWE star LA Knight, he said: "If he's getting that level of attention then maybe it's just a matter of time." Ultimately, though, he believes fan demand will decide: "If the public want that, they have to make some noise and it's more likely to happen."
