Michael van Gerwen told in the end of 2017 in an interview with the Algemeen Dagblad that he thinks that the walk-on girls disappear within a year and a half. "Not that there is criticism, but darts is ready for a next step", Van Gerwen said in December.
"A walk-on with music and only the player. That is what the PDC ultimately wants to go to. It is very double: darts is also very much entertainment, but the association also wants more people to see it as a sport. It does not interest me like that, it is just a national sport. People just look at it very much. And that's what it's all about. "
Not long after, PDC chairman Barry Hearn disproved the prediction of the number one in the world. "As long as I am the boss, they will not disappear. Call me old-fashioned, but I think the walk on-girls is great and provides entertainment. In my opinion, they belong to darts, "Hearn said in conversation with the Dutch newspaper.
Just before the start of the new season, a middle ground seems to have been found. If the rumor is true, the walk-on girls will no longer be seen during the World Championship, Premier League Darts, World Cup of Darts, World Matchplay and the World Grand Prix.