Fallon Sherrock, 32, from Milton Keynes, bagged £501,000 by beating the reigning darts world champion at a special showcase broadcast live by the streaming giants.

Analysts claimed it was the second biggest payday handed out in a darts competition behind only the £1 million prize money for winning the PDC World Championships.

Sherrock, who previously made history by becoming the first woman to beat a man at the PDC World Championships, beat darts' most famous prodigy in a one-leg match.

It was billed as an opportunity for amateurs to test themselves against the best darts player on the planet.

Despite her previous successes on the world stage, Sherrock did qualify as an amateur for the one-off match against the champion who is still just 19.

Called Beat Luke Littler, amateurs faced off against the two-time world champ at Manchester Central.

Sherrock was one of 20 competitors who attempted to beat Littler to a 501 check out.

However, Sherrock acknowledged she had faced criticism for entering the tour as an amateur despite her previous successes.

“I mean it’s been tough,” she told the Press Association. “Because obviously I do see the backlash and I do see all the negative comments.

“But at the end of the day, I fit the criteria for this. I’ve never had a tour card, and I wouldn’t class myself as a pro really, because all I do is just play darts for the enjoyment of it.

“I think people forget where I started off as well. When I won at the Worlds, I was still just doing WDF (World Darts Federation).

“I’m just so happy to overcome all the hate and win.”

Other competitors in the event were less well-known and included part-time players who work as a bin man, an Australian jockey and a Nando’s manager.

PDC chief Barry Hearn, who was involved in the audition process, defended Sherrock's inclusion.

He told PA: “She’s not a PDC Tour Card holder. She’s entitled to enter. Why should she be denied?

“She’s a well-known player and she’s a very good player. But Mitchell Lawrie is a very well-known player and an excellent player.

“Do you want just a series of 20 matches where someone can’t even throw a dart? No, of course we want excellence competing against excellence, and that’s what it was all about.”