"A lot of people thought it was nonsense at the time": Walk-on girls excited for return but still puzzled at initial PDC axe in 2018

For years, they were a regular feature at major darts tournaments: the walk-on girls Daniella Allfree and Charlotte Wood mainly who cultivated a brand. It was therefore a big surprise when, in 2018, the PDC decided to stop having the ladies walk-on after a row around sexism. Soon, however, the walk-on girls will make their comeback on the World Seniors Darts Tour.

For years, each player was accompanied by a walk-on girl when taking the stage at major tournaments as well as the European Tour (albeit the latter changed a lot later). In 2018, however, the PDC stopped doing so because chairman Barry Hearn felt it no longer suited the values they were trying to portray as a sport.

In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Charlotte Wood and Daniella Allfree, two of the sport's most prominent walk-on girls, reveal how they have been inundated with messages of support - many of them from women - about their return. Their return indeed, as they have recently been hired by the World Seniors Darts Tour (WSDT) for their tournaments. Both ladies are therefore looking forward to their return to the darts world.

"It’s definitely been a shock to be back on the darts. It’s been a bit of a U-turn from six years ago," said Allfree.

“I feel like they have just listened to the fans. They are a fantastic company to be a part of, so we’re proud to be back.”

“We are honoured to be a part of it and it’s honestly the best job ever. We both loved it. There’s nothing about it that we didn’t love," said Wood echoing the prior sentiments. "We are so excited to be coming back.”

The resentment is also still there about being sacked in the first place with no real reasoning being given why such a move happened.

“It was such a shock when they dropped us because it was very sudden," continued Allfree.

“Around 80 per cent of our income came from darts. It was really hurtful at the time when we got banned because we were such a part of darts, it was like being part of a family.

“For them to just say that’s it, we're not having you any more it was quite hurtful. There was no definitive reason why we were banned. I still don’t know why they did it.”

“It was so sad to see our job that we loved and were so proud of and picked apart. They said it was demeaning, we couldn't have felt further from that because it was such a wonderful, safe job. It was a sad time when that happened.”

“I think a lot of people thought it was nonsense at the time. I think the majority of people are happy we’re coming back.”

But Allfree and Wood said that most of the support they've got in returning has been in fact from females who see their job for what it is.

“We’ve got lots of female fans who are lovely and just support what we do. In my opinion it was a backwards step for feminism, not a forwards step, telling women what they can’t do.

“If we’re happy doing the job then why does it offend people? I don’t understand.

“You watch models on TV adverts for shampoo or clothing and you are not demeaned watching them so why are you by us? We’re just advertising a darts brand and are part of the show. It’s just the same as everything else.”

As well as saying that other darting names have supported them including Raymond van Barneveld and that in the end the darts fans want them there.

"We had such an outcry of support at the time. With us coming back again, there is an overwhelming amount of support. We’ve had so many women message us.

“There will always be someone who has something to say, who doesn’t want but it really is the minority who have said that.

“At the end of the day, it’s the darts fans who want us there. Surely that’s all that matters? We’re part of the show.”