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There are more than 3,000 hopefuls taking part in the auditions for Luke Littler's new big-money Netflix show in Stratford.
Doors open at 8am for entrants to start making their ways into the LMA at Here East. Queues are hours long, snaking around the Olympic Park. Across the road, West Ham beat Wrexham 6-0 in the Championship less than 12 hours ago – one loud-mouthed Hammers fan in a park nearby is keen to let everyone know.
The idea of the show is simple: can the everyday man or woman beat Littler in a leg of darts? Up to 20 will have a go live on Netflix on October 30 on Beat Luke Littler, with anyone that can topple the reigning world champion and world No1 taking home a life-changing £501,000. Gary Lineker will host the show, with Richard Osman providing expert analysis.
There are three stages to the audition process today. To our thanks, we are taken through a different entrance and fast-tracked through to the practice area for stage one. No time for work – we're trying to win half a million.
In the practice room, we are allowed a few darts to prepare. Around 12 participants are brought through at a time. A producer bellows out the rules before another asks questions on camera. What would you do with the money? How did you get into darts? Don't answer like this, answer like this. That's showbiz.
As we make our way through to the competition boards, surrounded by big purple and yellow advertising reading 'Beat Luke Littler', we are introduced to our referees – essentially there to make sure there's no cheating the automated scoring system. 'Listen, mate,' we tell ours. 'There's no chance we're completing this, so can we finish once we've officially failed?' He nods in agreement, with a small smirk.
More than 3,000 hopefuls auditioned for Netflix's 'Beat Luke Littler' in Stratford, London
Up to 20 people will be given the chance to win £501,000 on Netflix - all they have to do is beat Littler in a leg of darts
The aim of the first stage is to complete a leg of darts in 24 throws or fewer. No ifs, no buts, no second chances. It's no easy feat. This part-timer may achieve it on a good day – locked away in his spare room while music plays on late evening. Under this sort of pressure is a different story. As expected, failure was the outcome.
But a lot of these contestants don't crumble under the pressure – they thrive off it. 'I can beat anyone on my day,' one auditionee, who wrapped up his leg in 12 darts, tells Daily Mail Sport. Wrap things up in 12 again on October 30 and you will more than likely find yourself £501,000 richer, pal.
Two or three participants make it through to the next stage. They are awarded a green sticker. 'Thanks for coming, and, if you didn't make it, don't worry - it's hard,' shouts another producer.
There are various abilities on show. Some wear jeans and get nowhere close. Others don their own personal darts shirts but struggle for a double. Others ease through – including 'Queen of the Palace' Fallon Sherrock.
For Sherrock, who has won two matches at the World Championship before – it's all part of the day job. She's probably the most famous face here. Anyone who has never held a tour card can enter – Sherrock may have won matches at the Alexandra Palace, but she's never been on the tour.
'I did it in 18,' she tells Daily Mail Sport. 'My scoring wasn't very good, but I took out a 157.
'I don't need the money, but I have always said I would like more opportunities to promote the women's game, and this is the perfect opportunity to do it. Why wouldn't you? It would be stupid for me not to do it.
'The queue was very long. We joined at 8am and got in at near enough 11. But I can do it - and I do speak to Luke. I know him, I know his mum, his dad, Faith, and they are lovely, genuine people.'
Daily Mail Sport auditioned- but failed to make it past the first stage
Those fortunate enough to make it to the second stage will face an interview with the production team, where they will discuss their approach to the challenge, how they would prepare to face Littler, and how they perform under pressure.
Even fewer will then make it to the final stage. That involves a chat with an expert judging panel, including 16-time world champion Phil Taylor.
We are made to wait to speak to Taylor. So we spend a while longer observing the hopefuls – some bubbling with emotion.
Darts mastermind Barry Hearn walks past us. 'Alright, lads?' he quips to the press. We will be when Phil is ready, Barry.
We're welcomed into Taylor's dressing room at around 1pm. He has been here since eight, and will be until seven. This right now is a short break for lunch, which will be eaten in his dressing room.
'I think someone will win it,' he says. 'They have got a chance. It's all about holding your bottle on a double.
'It's been different. I've never done anything like this before. It's similar to the X-Factor, but you have to be a bit nicer with this one. I'm not Simon Cowell.
'It's about encouraging the players, especially the youngsters coming through. It's very nerve-wracking for them. But we are looking for confidence, ability, and they have to be dedicated. It's not easy - you have to be so professional now. I was 30 when I first turned pro - some of them now are 13, 14, 15. To ask them to be professional at that age is very difficult.'
Laura Turner (left), Barry Hearn (centre) and Phil Taylor (right) are on the judging panel for the final stage of the audition process
The volume of interest in the show runs in line with the growth of the sport since Littler burst onto the scene
Littler isn't here. He's taking some time off before getting back into action with more Players Championship events and the World Grand Prix among events to come soon. It's unclear what he really thinks about this show – nothing is really on the line for him compared to the competitors, bar maybe pride.
'If you can go out in 12 darts, and you want to beat Luke Littler in a game of 501, he has to go out in nine, or you're half a million richer,' Taylor tells Daily Mail Sport. 'That's the secret.
'Luke is very laid back, quiet, very talented. Nothing fazes him, but the one attribute he has for me is he isn't bothered about the money. It's a bonus. I was always bothered about the money when I started - I had children, a mortgage to pay.
'I have had a throw with him. Not competitive. But I would love to get my form back, I am practicing a little bit. I am a bit too old now. I love retirement - it's great being at home. I ask my wife if we should go on holiday and we don't want to go away anymore, we travelled that much. I missed my family.'
While Taylor trots off to eat his lunch ahead of the afternoon shift, we head to chat to one or two more competitors. One owns an international flavouring company. Another is an electrician. They both have their green stickers and are waiting to speak to producers before potentially being put in front of the judges.
Simple maths says around 600 dartists will make it through the first stage here in London. That number will be whittled down to barely double figures by the time they have met the judges. The same process will happen in Manchester. Those auditions take place on September 19 at Manchester Central Convention Complex – you can visit BeatLukeLittler.com for more information on how to apply.
We're taken outside the same side door we entered through four hours ago as we leave the venue. The queues are still as long as this morning. A member of the Netflix production team tells us they think way more hopefuls have turned up than expected.
One thing is obvious: this idea, so far, is a hit. The attraction and attention runs parallel with the rise of darts since Littler burst on the scene. Next month, those that look up to the 19-year-old will have the chance to beat him and win big money. It's quite the opportunity.
Watch Beat Luke Littler live on Netflix on October 30
