Makinley hopes to one day win a world title and says winning the prize money would change his family's lives

A Welsh teenager is set to go head-to-head against Luke Littler in a bid for a £500,000 prize. Makinley Cooper-Johnson first began playing darts in 2023 and is completely self-taught, often spending around two hours a day playing alone in his bedroom or with dad Tom, 36, and brother Mitchel, 21.

Mum Stacie Cooper, 41, said her son applied for the live Netflix show Beat Luke Littler "on a whim" and she did not know he'd applied until he was called to attend an audition.

The show – set to be broadcast live on Friday, October 30 – will see 24 contestants between the ages of 14 and 57 from across the UK and beyond take on Littler for a chance to win £501,000.

Makinley is the second youngest to appear in the line-up and has never competed at any level before. He said he's "open to the opportunity" of becoming a darts player in the future and hopes to one day win a world title.

Makinley, from Wrexham, said: "I love playing darts because it gives me a sense of hunger and ambition to succeed. I'm feeling starstruck but confident that I can go out there and do what needs to be done on the night, and prove that anybody can do anything they set their mind to."

Asked about what it would be like to win the massive prize, confident Makinley said: "Winning the prize money would mean that I have succeeded in what I set out to do and will change my life in ways I've only dreamed of, but dreams can come true. I've promised my brother a new car and I'm also going to secure my future for me and my family."

Stacie said Makinley first got into darts three years ago after the family bought a dart board to play with on New Year's Eve. "It started from there," she said.

"He's completely self-taught, there's no academy, no sponsor and no competitions in the sport. He's just at home, just a young lad playing darts with his brothers."

Makinley practices darts most days, often with his dad and brothers, and applied for the Netflix show without telling his parents.

"It wasn't until he got the email back to go to the first audition he told us he'd applied," Stacie said. "He said he's sent the email off on a whim, for a joke to see what would happen."

He was invited to Manchester for a first round audition, but after seeing the size of the queue he almost did not go ahead.

"We were literally on our way back to the car when a steward came over and said, 'Are you under 18? Come to this queue'," Stacie said.

He completed the first round – having to take out 502 with 24 darts, before moving onto a filmed interview with production. He then had an interview with darts players Phil Turner, Barry Hearn and presenter Laura Woods.

After a "fast paced" day, Makinley had to go back to the studio for another round of photos, before he received the news two weeks ago he had been cast in the live show.

"We're excited and nervous," Stacie added. "We've just told him win or lose what an amazing opportunity he's been given and what a fantastic position he's in at the moment, and to go out there and enjoy himself. If he's lucky enough to beat the world champion then all good, but go out there and be yourself."