What is it really like to audition for Beat Luke Littler on Netflix?

When you’re a bang-average darts player, the last opponent you’d ever expect to face is Luke Littler. Yet when a potential opportunity to challenge myself against the best on the planet presented itself, I jumped at the chance.

Netflix invited me to audition for ‘Beat Luke Littler’, a live event, that will stream on October 30, in which 20 budding hopefuls will attempt to defeat the icon over a single leg, with a cash prize of £501,000 up for grabs. But did I make the cut?

The Beat Luke Littler auditions certainly weren’t easy

I arrived at the Manchester Central Convention Complex with a spring in my step, excited to show off my darting skills, or perhaps lack of skills.

As a massive darts fan, I’ve watched Luke Littler take over the sport, with the superstar showcasing remarkable talent en route to securing back-to-back world championships.

However, while Michael van Gerwen and Gian van Veen were unable to stop him from claiming the biggest prize in the sport, I thought, that if things were to go my way, then perhaps I could pull off an upset of epic proportions in front of millions on Netflix, sending shockwaves through the sporting world.

However, my expectations soon crashed back down to Earth when I realised just how many people shared the same desire. An endless line of fans queued in the rain, all desperate to earn their shot at the King.

Upon entering the audition room, I was met by a long line of boards, with each player given the difficult challenge of checking out a leg of 501 in 24 darts in order to make it to the next round.

WOW: ‘It will catch up on Luke Littler’… Phil Taylor sends brutal warning to ‘The Nuke’

During practice, I played relatively well, hitting a 100 and two 60s. However, I crashed and burned in the audition. After an issue with my flight prevented me from putting the finishing touches on a 180, I never quite recovered, exhibiting just how difficult it is to do what Littler does. Practising is one thing, but operating under pressure is an entirely different kettle of fish.

However, while I was unable to qualify for the next stage, plenty of talented players delivered when it mattered, and thus, earned the opportunity to meet the greatest of all time — Phil Taylor.

Channelling his inner Simon Cowell, ‘The Power’ sat at the judges’ table as he met the gifted competitors vying for their opportunity to take on ‘The Nuke’.

And while I wasn’t good enough to play in front of Taylor myself, I did get the opportunity to ask a very important question.

Phil Taylor reveals whether anyone can beat Luke Littler

While some would think it would be impossible for any of the players to actually overcome the world number one, Taylor is adamant that there’ll be plenty of jeopardy on the night, as Littler will have to be on his A-game, or risk suffering a humiliating defeat.

The 16X world champion explained: “There will be people there who are capable.”

Then, Taylor revealed exactly how he’d have claimed a victory over Littler, explaining: “Don’t bottle it. It’s about working Luke out, working out his weak points, when is the best time to attack him, what upsets him when you’re playing him; it’s about a lot of things in darts that people don’t realise. There are a lot of mind games up there. The one thing you have to do with Luke is go out there and beat him.”

Fans can buy tickets for Beat Luke Littler, here.

Featured Image Credit: Getty/Tom Dymond/Netflix