Darts' stunning walk-on girls – where they are now from BBC actress to football WAG

The PDC's decision to axe the walk-on girls in 2018 had a huge impact on the models, who saw their earnings vanish overnight. But two of them are now set to make a triumphant return

Posted Sunday, September 01, 2024 by Dailystar.co.uk

Walk-on girls were axed in 2018, but they're set for a comeback

It's been a whopping six-and-a-half years since we last saw the glamorous walk-on girls at the darts.

In 2018, the PDC made the sudden decision to ditch the tradition amidst claims of sexism. This move ignited a fiery backlash from both fans and players alike, with big names like Raymond van Barneveld joining tens of thousands in signing a petition to bring back the sidelined models.

Despite their efforts, it was all for nothing. However, on Monday, it was revealed that walk-on girls would be making a grand return... well, two of them at least.

As reported by Online Darts, Charlotte Wood and Daniella Allfree, two of the sport's most famous walk-on girls, will be making their comeback when Phil Taylor takes to the stage at the World Seniors Matchplay in October.

The duo have been appointed as ambassadors for the World Seniors Darts Tour (WSDT) and are believed to have agreed to long-term partnerships with the tour. In anticipation of their return, Daily Star Sport has taken a look at what they, along with several of their former colleagues, have been doing in recent years.

Wood (left) was one of the sport's most iconic walk-on girls

Charlotte Wood was one of the most prominent walk-on girls before the role was axed. The 36-year-old formed an iconic partnership with colleague and friend Daniella Allfree, making them two of the most recognisable faces in the sport.

Charlotte Wood told us about the massive blow she felt when the PDC decided to axe the walk-on girls, saying: "When the darts ended, it took away a major part of my livelihood. Around 80 per cent of my income came from darts. After that, I had to explore different avenues."

Despite her success as a glamour model and amassing legions of fans on social media, in an exclusive chat with Mirror Sport, she couldn't hide her excitement about returning to the darts scene, saying: "I am very excited to be back as a walk-on girl," and reminiscing about the good old days, she added: "Before, when I worked at the darts we were with the players and the players' families a lot - it's all just like one big family."

Ali Drew made her walk-on girl debut in 2013

Ali Drew, the former walk-on girl who graced the darts scene back in 2013, has spilt the beans to the Darts Be Thy Name blog about her dazzling days on the oche. She gushed about her top moment being "standing just metres away from Phil 'The Power' Taylor as he played."

Since hanging up her walk-on heels, Drew has been busy making waves on MTV's Ex on the Beach and has turned her hand to sports presenting, including stints with Cardiff City and ringside at Conlan Boxing events. Not content with just that, she's also the boss of a dog fashion line and is killing it on Instagram with legions of followers.

Hazel O'Sullivan met Andros Townsend while working as a walk-on girl in 2013

Hazel O'Sullivan, another former face of darts glamour, traded the walk-on life for WAG status after hooking up with footie ace Andros Townsend. The Irish stunner was a crowd-pleaser before the PDC decided to scrap the walk-on girls.

She and Townsend, who met when he was at Tottenham, hit it off at an O2 Arena bash in 2013 and have since welcomed two kids, Aria and Andros Junior, into their family. While they tend to dodge the spotlight, O'Sullivan did have a stint on Big Brother's 14th series. Meanwhile, Townsend, now 33, is still smashing it at Luton Town post-relegation, and O'Sullivan continues to dazzle as a model.