Young Gun out to beat Littler for £501k darts prize

A 14-year old darts player is set to take on Luke Littler in a live darts showdown for a shot at £501,000.

Jayden Walker, from Christchurch, Dorset, is one of 24 players picked for Beat Luke Littler, a live Netflix show in which contestants take on the world champion in a single leg of 501 unless someone beats him ending the challenge.

Jayden, whose playing nickname is The Young Gun, has played Littler twice, he said: "He beat me 3-0 the first time... he was on fire, then the second time I lost 2-1 but I won the first leg so I got the leg I need tonight to win the money."

Ahead of the live show in Manchester at 19:00 GMT on Friday he said he was "excited... but then also a little bit nervous".

Jayden, who started playing darts in local leagues aged about 10 years old, said his family was "so proud" and planned to hold a watch party because his two brothers were too young to go to the show.

The first contestant to beat the 19-year-old two-time world champion will land the big-money prize and bring the competition to an end.

Jayden got on the show through an audition with thousands of hopefuls who had to complete a leg of 501 in 24 darts or fewer.

Successful players then progressed to an interview with the show's producers before a final stage assessment with a judging panel, which included 16-time world darts champion Phil Taylor.

Jayden said the interview with Phil "The Power" Taylor was quite "nerve-wracking" as he is the "GOAT (greatest of all time) of darts" and added he said "I was a nice kid".

He added if he lands the top prize, the money will be put into a trust fund until he turns 18.