Gary Lineker to host new Netflix darts show as public battle Luke Littler for huge prize
Gary Lineker is set to host a new live Netflix series in which members of the public attempt to beat Luke Littler at darts.
The presenter will host Beat Luke Littler alongside former Pointless star Richard Osman, with the programme broadcast live on the platform.
Scheduled for 30 October, the event gives contenders the opportunity to face the world number one for a £501,000 cash prize.
Following open qualifying rounds, a final group of 20 players will be chosen, with each taking on Littler in a single leg.
The show marks Lineker’s return to live sport following his departure from the BBC last year.
It comes after his podcast, The Rest is Football, moved to Netflix for this summer’s World Cup and secured a permanent place throughout the Premier League season.
Lineker said: “I am delighted to be deepening my relationship with Netflix after such a brilliant experience with The Rest Is Football at the World Cup, and Beat Luke Littler feels like exactly the kind of unpredictable, live event television that gets me excited – I cannot wait to see who fancies their chances.”
Osman, who will offer statistical analysis in a role similar to his work on Pointless, said: “As a huge darts fan, and proud owner of a signed photo of Jocky Wilson, I couldn’t be more excited to join the amazing Beat Luke Littler live show.
“He’s the greatest player in the world. But 20 legs in a row? I honestly think someone is going to win that £501k. It’s going to be an incredible night.”
Open heats are scheduled across Manchester and London this September to determine the 20 contenders who will earn a place on the live broadcast.
Confirmation of Lineker’s appointment as host comes after the former BBC presenter spoke out about his time with the broadcaster.
The former Match Of The Day host stepped down from his role at the broadcaster in May last year following public backlash over sharing his political commentary on social media platforms.
Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival during a session with Adam Hawkins, Netflix’s director of documentary series and the festival’s advisory chair, Lineker discussed using his prominence to “address things that upset me”.
He said: “I don’t really speak much about politics, but politics is involved in everything that I speak about.
“Ultimately you need to live with yourself, and if I see things that upset me in humanitarian terms and I find it quite upsetting, it triggers me to use a platform I would have never had before.
“People can disagree and they do and that’s absolutely fine.”
