Deta Hedman will make her PDC World Championship debut at the age of 61 after a superb display at the PDC Women's Series.
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Hedman is seen as one of the leading pioneers in Women's Darts with 'The Heart of Darts' despite never winning the BDO World Championship, one of the most successful of all time.
She will now take on Andy Boulton at the Alexandra Palace with a rapturous reception likely for the former two time World Master.
So what is the secret to the longevity of Hedman? She believes that it is still having the enjoyment for the game and believes she will be involved as long as is possible.
"I think it's having the love and enjoyment that I still do when I play and meeting up with some great friends," she said to Sky Sports.
"I'll just see where it takes me. I will probably always be involved in the game until I drop or when my memory fails me but I'm still loving it. I have my moments!"
In terms of the future of the ladies game, Hedman believes that if given the opportunity, the glass ceiling can firmly be smashed.
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"You have Mikuru [Suzuki], Lisa and Fallon who have taken the game to another level. You have another young lady called Beau Greaves who I think is going to be phenomenal.
"If the opportunity is there like the men's in the PDC then I think you will see the ladies game change again. The standard will be so high it's unbelievable. It is there. Some of the ladies do have the game and it's like any sport. It's whether you really want it."
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.