Amateur Darts Player Feels ‘Cheated’ By Netflix

An amateur darts player who travelled more than 20 hours in order to audition for Netflix’s ‘Beat Luke Littler’ event has described how he feels cheated by the producers behind the show.

Earlier this week, the streaming giant confirmed the 24 players who will go head-to-head with ‘The Nuke’ in a single-leg shootout for a chance to win £501,000 during next Friday’s live event at the Manchester Central Convention Complex.

However, the shortlist has caused backlash as several names are well known in the darts community, including multiple-time World Championship entrant Fallon Sherrock and 15-year-old prodigy Mitchell Lawrie.

Fans were quick to point out that those inclusions went against Netflix’s claim that the show would ‘pit the everyday player against the world number one’.

Among those ‘everyday players’ was John Steele, who spent thousands of pounds travelling to his audition, only to be rejected.

Amateur Darts Player Travelled From South Africa For ‘Beat Luke Littler’ Audition

Steele travelled from South Africa to Manchester specifically for the chance to take on Littler for the staggering cash prize. The 44-year-old, known as the “Dominoman”, moved to South Africa with his family in 2010.

He competes on the African darts circuit, while also running an online darts shop. Steele devotes much of his life to developing the game in his adopted homeland.

He had hoped that an appearance on the show could help continue this work.

Steele spent around £2,000 on flights, accommodation and other expenses on his trip to Manchester, which typically takes around 20 hours.

Steele made it into the final 100 after an impressive campaign, having faced three rounds of darts and an intense interview panel. In the first round, candidates had to finish a leg of 501 within a maximum of 24 darts. Steele managed it, though his attempt was not without its problems:

“When I attempted my leg of 501, I had a TV camera, PDC Referee, Target Referee and the production manager watching me. I went 125, 85, and 100 and thought, ‘OK, John, you got this.’ Then I threw 11!” he told the Sporting Life.

Passing through the darts rounds, Steele then faced an interview with a panel comprised of darts legend Phil Taylor, former PDC chairman Barry Hearn and Sky Sports analyst Laura Turner.

“I was only in there 10 minutes before my name was called, and I almost cried when the crew guy told me I was through to Stage Three! I was mic’ed up and interviewed by Phil, Barry and Laura!”

This wasn’t the first time Steele has faced a panel of this calibre, having auditioned for the UK version of The X Factor previously. He admitted the experience brought back memories:

“It really did feel like X Factor. I walked in, stood on an X and had to introduce myself to the Power! I couldn’t believe my eyes.”

After seeing Steele in action, Taylor, one of the greatest darts players in history, was pleased with what he saw. “Phil then said, ‘Well, you can definitely throw.'” For Steele, it was an unforgettable moment. “To hear the GOAT of darts say that to me was the stuff of dreams.”

Unfortunately, Taylor’s endorsement wasn’t enough to see Steele selected for a crack at beating Littler and the massive prize pot. Although the amateur was initially accepting of the decision, he was far from impressed when he saw the final line-up for the first time.

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“When I found out the list of names that had been selected, such as Fallon Sherrock, Mitchell Lawrie, Ashley Coleman and Jayden Walker, my mood changed to anger and hurt. It’s like a who’s who of semi-pros, future stars and established names.”

Despite the anger of fans and unsuccessful players alike, the well-known names in the line-up are officially still amateurs because they don’t currently possess a tour card from the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC).

Steele continued: “Some of these are Target-sponsored players: “I now feel like this was a predetermined case. I have the feeling that I was taken for a ride.”