Glen Durrant says Netflix has a duty to get it right in Friday's Beat Luke Littler challenge, aiming to quiet social media backlash regarding the chosen line-up.
Working as part of the commentary team, the three-time Lakeside world champion will cover this entertainment event taking place in Manchester.
Twenty-four hopeful contenders will compete for twenty available spots to challenge Littler in a single-leg match. Anyone who defeats the world number one will walk away with £501,000, creating what Durrant described as a Rocky situation.
Online criticism emerged when organizers revealed the amateur roster, particularly because it featured prominent female star Fallon Sherrock along with teenage talents Mitchell Lawrie and Jayden Walker instead of strictly unknown pub players.
At 55 years old, Durrant believes the special match requires a sense of danger and thinks Littler might prove vulnerable early on.
Speaking to SunSport, the Middlesbrough thrower expressed his excitement, stating that even hearing the name Netflix thrilled him about participating.
He emphasized the importance of proper execution, viewing the broadcast primarily as entertainment while acknowledging the massive £501,000 prize.
Reflecting on his roots in 1980s working men's clubs chasing £200 victories, he called the payout an incredible chance.
He expressed disappointment over negative comments directed at the amateur participants.
Comparing it to a cinematic underdog story, he noted that unpredictability and a bit of chaos are necessary elements.
The diverse mix of players provides genuine tension, featuring competitors like Jayden Walker, Mitchell Lawrie, and Fallon Sherrock.
Durrant pointed out that criticism would have happened anyway if twenty regular pub players were selected and Littler easily defeated every single one.
Initial social media reactions suggested participants were hand-selected and would pose no threat to the star.
Opinions shifted once the roster featuring headliners like Fallon Sherrock and 15-year-old Mitchell Lawrie was announced.
He emphasized the huge stakes involved, noting that the world champion earns a million pounds and this represents the second-largest prize in darts history.
Despite the mixed player pool drawing various opinions, he reiterated that production teams bear significant responsibility for Friday night's success.
Durrant previously secured £100,000 cheques during three victories on the BDO world stage between 2017 and 2019.
After winning the Premier League in 2020 behind closed doors due to Covid rules, he collected £250,000 following an 11-8 victory against Nathan Aspinall in the final.
Having stood on the oche needing a crucial double for heavy cash prizes, Durrant understands the pressure completely.
Describing the feeling as an out-of-body experience, he recalled his first Lakeside win against Danny Noppert with the trophy positioned behind him.
He described throwing a dart for a £250,000 Premier League title in front of an empty arena against Nathan Aspinall as the realization of a lifelong dream.
Acknowledging the difficulty, he noted that youngsters like Jayden Walker and Mitchell Lawrie carry no fear into the contest.
Unlike his own tendency to overthink, he believes these teenagers rely purely on instinct rather than technique or practice.
He suggested that physical nerves might take over as players approach the winning double, making the finish fascinating to watch.
While conceding that a warmed-up Littler will likely defeat top players easily, Durrant suggested the star could drop an early game.
