Darts to bring walk-on girls back to the BBC

Model ‘ambassadors’ to return to the sport this autumn at the World Seniors Matchplay in York

The BBC will broadcast the return of walk-on girls in darts this autumn in the World Seniors Matchplay.
The tournament, also shown on TNT, will be available via the BBC’s red button and on iPlayer, featuring the return of models accompanying players to the oche for the first time in seven years.
Walk-on girls were axed by the Professional Darts Corporation in 2018 in a move that sparked debate over whether it was a sexist role for women to fulfil.
The World Seniors Darts have announced models Daniella Allfree and Charlotte Wood as ambassadors and say they will “meet and interact with fans” at York’s Barbican and walk on stage with players, including 16-time world champion Phil Taylor, in October.
“We are so happy to be have been asked to represent WSDT in an ambassadorial role,” said Allfree. “It’s so pleasing to be able to be involved in the sport in any capacity, but this is a real honour.”
Wood added: “Me and Daniella are really looking forward to being a part of WSDT events, and especially meeting the fans and being at the side of the players as they walk on. It’s a pleasure to accept this role, and it’s one that we look forward to getting started on in York.”
Jason Francis of WSDT said: “They always bring the glitz and glamour to the sport, and it will be no different in York. The players will have that extra stardust alongside them when doing their world-famous walk-ons, and it will add further prestige to what should be an amazing tournament and event.”
In 2019, Fallon Sherrock wrote her name into the record books as the first woman in history to win a PDC World Championship match. PDC chief executive Matt Porter said walk-on girls “had their time” but insisted the female-only cheerleader troupe who dance on stage before matches would remain.
“They are popular with men and women alike and are talented dancers,” Porter said in 2019. “So we don’t feel their presence in any way reduces the credibility of women within darts.”