Paul Nicholson has launched a passionate defence of Fallon Sherrock following her £501,000 victory over Luke Littler at the Netflix event "Beat Luke Littler", insisting the criticism directed at her is unfair and that people have a "completely wrong idea of her financial situation". Sherrock defeated Littler in a deciding leg with an excellent 15-dart leg to claim the second-largest prize in darts history, behind only Littler's £1 million for his second world title in January.
The event saw 24 contestants given the chance to take on the two-time world champion, with anyone who could beat Littler in a single leg of 501 winning the huge prize. Sherrock's participation was a talking point before the event, with critics arguing that a player of her experience and record did not fit an event meant to give amateurs a unique opportunity. The 32-year-old Englishwoman made history in 2019 as the first woman ever to win a match at the PDC World Darts Championship and has since become one of the sport's best-known faces.
Nicholson told Sporting Life: "Make no mistake it, Fallon Sherrock being the player to win the money was the perfect result for Netflix due to all the publicity it generated. It also felt written in the stars when you consider that Fallon and Luke are the two players who have transcended popular culture more than anyone else in the past 10 years." He added: "So, for her to hit that 180 and then hold her nerve on tops after all the hype - both positive and negative - was almost poetic and typically Fallon."
The Australian also suspects Netflix deliberately played on the debate surrounding her participation, as Sherrock had to secure her place through a public vote. "I thought Netflix were quite clever to put her in a public vote. It was almost like saying 'Right, you don't want her to be here, then vote her off.' Of course they probably knew that wouldn't happen so eventually they did indeed get the match they wanted after Littler beat all those before her." Nicholson has no doubt she deserved the prize money: "So did she deserve the money? Yes."
Nicholson believes much of the criticism stems from a misunderstanding of the financial opportunities in darts. "Sure she's got an MBE and has done incredible history-making things for darts. But if people think she lives a lavish lifestyle then they are solely mistaken. That money will change her life and the life of her son Rory. That's a great story." He continued: "How much has she won in darts? Do people think that's millions? Do they think the patches on her shirt are worth millions? No, they're worth a few grand."
According to Nicholson, Sherrock still relies on several sources of income. "They're enough to keep her and her son going month by month, and she still has to work very hard in the exhibition circuit. She still plays amateur dart circuit events in places like Middlesbrough and Aylesbury." He added: "She's not a millionaire. This is the biggest pay cheque she's ever going to get. And it's the one chance she's got to change the life for her and her son. And that's the story that should be written, because most people have got this misconception of wealth in this sport because of Luke Littler. But on this occasion, he's the one who created the opportunity for others."
Nicholson does not expect jealousy among other players, having known Sherrock for around ten years. "A lot of us within the sport are chuffed. Because I know Fallon, I've known her for 10 years and she's a great person. She finds it hard to show her real emotions. It's one of the reasons why she's such a great player." He added: "I always say about Fallon, 'glasses on, gloves off'. Because when those glasses come on, her face changes."
Sherrock became visibly emotional while speaking to presenter Gary Lineker after her win. "However, she did struggle to hold back the tears with Gary Lineker at the end. It was a lovely moment and I think most of the people I've spoken to within the game, they're really, really happy for her, and so they should be."