"I have the feeling that I was taken for a ride" – Amateur darts player left downhearted as established names in Lawrie and Sherrock picked for Beat Luke Littler

The announcement of the contestants for Netflix’s Beat Luke Littler, has caused quite a stir. During the live broadcast on 30.10.2025, 24 contestants will get the chance to win £501,000 by beating Luke Littler in a single leg. However, several well-known darts players have made the shortlist, including Fallon Sherrock and 15-year-old talent Mitchell Lawrie. That has not gone down well with John Steele, an amateur player from South Africa who spent thousands of pounds travelling to the auditions, only to be rejected.

The 44-year-old Steele, better known by his nickname “Dominoman”, had hoped Netflix would give ordinary amateur players the chance to take on the world’s best. The Brit, who has lived in South Africa with his family since 2010, travelled to Manchester specifically for the auditions.

Steele works as a financial planner and is also actively involved in developing darts in South Africa. He competes on the African PDC circuit and runs his own darts shop, Dominoman.com.

With an average of around 65 to 75 points per three darts, he does not consider himself among the elite. But he felt he was good enough to potentially spring a surprise against Littler in a single leg.

For Steele, taking part in the programme was about more than the chance to win a huge sum of money. He also wanted to raise the profile of darts in South Africa.

If he had won the top prize, he planned to use some of the money to expand his darts shop and introduce more young people in South Africa to the sport.

He travelled to England with his children, Rebecca, 24, and Aiden, 19. The family used the opportunity to visit relatives and enjoy a few activities.

Steele went to a Manchester United match and, to prepare for his audition, played in a darts tournament at Hindley Social Club. Former World Championship finalist Kirk Shepherd was also there.

The trip ultimately cost him around £2,000 in flights, accommodation and other expenses. Even so, Steele was hopeful he could secure a place among the final 24 contestants.

In the first selection 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 Sporting Life.

After 12 darts, Steele had 180 points remaining. He then scored just 44, leaving him nine darts to finish 136. "After 12 darts I had 180 left and threw just 44 and now had nine left to take out 136, which I nearly did with my next three darts, wiring the double eight before getting the job done on my next visit."

His performance earned him a place in the next selection round, where he met several players with experience on the MODUS Super Series, in WDF tournaments and on the PDC Development Tour.

Among them were Dan Coates and Llew Bewan. Steele also recognised Mike Warburton, whom he had previously seen play against Littler on the MODUS Super Series.

After hours of waiting, Steele had an interview with the programme’s producers. They asked about his experience in darts, his performances under pressure and his reasons for taking part.

To Steele’s delight, he was then put through to the third selection round. There, he faced a distinguished panel.

The candidates were assessed by darts legend Phil Taylor, former PDC chairman Barry Hearn and darts 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 Taylor, Barry Hearn and Laura Turner!"

For Steele, the experience brought back memories of his earlier audition for the British TV show The X Factor. “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."

Steele introduced himself as “Dominoman John Steele”, and Hearn immediately asked where his nickname came from. Steele said the conversation was relaxed until Taylor asked him to demonstrate his darts ability. "If I was nervous before, I was crapping it now! Thankfully my first three darts scored a solid 60, and then I managed a tonne."

Taylor 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."

After the auditions, Steele decided to return to South Africa. Although he initially considered staying in England longer, the costs had already mounted considerably. Then came the wait for Netflix’s decision. "It was a long wait, and I was continually checking flight prices. Every time my Gmail went off I felt the dread and excitement, but weeks went by with no news."

Eventually, Steele was told he had not made the final 24. “Obviously my first reaction was disappointment, followed by relief that it was finally over."

That relief quickly gave way to frustration when he discovered which players had been selected. "However, as 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."

Steele finds it especially hard to understand why several contestants have already played on major darts stages and, in some cases, even faced Littler. "What happened to pub amateurs who get the chance to play the best player in the world? Some of these play against Luke Littler in exhibitions, while Fallon has played in World Championships several times!"

The amateur darter also points out that some of the selected players are sponsored by the darts equipment manufacturer Target. "Some of these are Target-sponsored players, and I now feel like this was a predetermined case. I have the feeling that I was taken for a ride."

Steele is therefore suggesting that the organisers may already have favoured familiar names. However, he offers no evidence to support that suspicion.

The South African darter understands that Netflix wants to make an entertaining television show but believes the organisers should have been clearer about the kind of contestants they were looking for. "Look, I understand it's entertainment – but these are not ordinary amateurs. The show is not "The Next Luke Litter". If they were looking for the X Factor of darts, then advertise that. I would never have entered."

Steele stresses that he saw himself as exactly the kind of player the show was intended for. "I'm just a 60-plus guy who can bang in a 15 darter here and there. That's what I thought they were looking for."

Mitchell Lawrie’s selection, in particular, has raised questions about the nature of the show. The 15-year-old Scot is one of darts’ biggest talents and has already won several international titles.

Although Lawrie is technically an amateur because he does not hold a PDC Tour Card, his standard is considerably higher than that of an average pub player.

According to the figures provided, Lawrie has averaged 96.93 points per three darts since the start of September, compared with Littler’s 96.70 over the same period. These figures are averages from the tournaments each player entered individually.

Players such as Fallon Sherrock, Ashley Coleman and Jayden Walker also have considerably more match experience than many recreational darters.

Having players of this calibre could increase the chance of Littler losing a leg and the £501,000 top prize being paid out. At the same time, their inclusion has prompted debate over whether the show still offers the opportunity ordinary amateur players had hoped for.

Despite his disappointment, Steele does not look back on the experience entirely negatively. The audition gave him some special experiences, including meeting Taylor, Hearn and Turner. He also had the chance to tell his story and draw attention to the growth of darts in South Africa.

He therefore has no regrets about travelling to Manchester. "Do I regret it? No. I don't do regrets. Everything happens for a reason."

Steele has now turned his attention back to his own darts career. He hopes to qualify for the World Darts Championship, perhaps through a qualifier, or to achieve enough results to earn a place at Q-School.

"Who knows, maybe I go on to win our PDC World Champ qualifier next weekend – or win one of the tour events and get my Q School space. Maybe I win none! Whatever happens will be for a reason."