Chesterfield darts walk-on girl returns to TV six years after role was axed in controversial move

Daniella and Charlotte Wood will accompany 16-time world champion Phil Taylor to the oche in the World Seniors Matchplay at York’s Barbican on October 4-5. The glamorous girls’ return will be shown on TNT, the BBC Red Button and iPlayer.

Walk-on girls at televised events were axed by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and broadcast bosses in January 2018. The controversial move sparked mixed reaction – some felt the role was sexist for women in the 21st century while others described the ban as ‘political correctness gone mad.’

Daniella – who featured in six PDC world finals - told the Derbyshire Times: “When the ban came into effect it was a huge shock as walk on girls had been around since the 80s with our agent, Karen Cookson being the very first walk on girl.”

Now signed up as a brand ambassador for the World Senior Darts Tour (WSDT), Daniella told The Sun newspaper: “It’s quite exciting that the WSDT are bringing us back. It will be fantastic to see everyone again. It will be special to be back on live TV. It will though be overwhelming.”

Jason Francis of WSDT said: "We are really pleased to be able to welcome Daniella and Charlotte as WSDT Ambassadors. 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.”

Former darts champions John Part, Martin Adams, Lisa Ashton and Trina Gulliver will be among those competing.

Daniella, a former Tupton Hall School student, and Charlotte from Leicestershire have spent the past six years working at non-televised darts competitions across the country and have modelled for their own calendar every year since 2017.