Walk-on girls will no longer be used at dart events run by the PDC. Having been criticised for the custom, the PDC have elected to bring it to an end beginning this weekend at Milton Keynes.
A spokesperson for the PDC confirmed the news today, with the decision made as a result of discussions with broadcasters.
We regularly review all aspects of our events and this move has been made following feedback from our host broadcasters.
Michael Van Gerwen supports the abolition of the practice.
It does not interest me.
Darts is entertainment, but the association also wants more people to see it as a sport. It is a national sport. And that's what it's all about.
Raymond Van Barneveld, however, is against the ruling, and is supporting a petition calling for the practice to be reinstated.
I will really miss the girls !! For me they are a part of the darts. Sign their petition so they hopefully can keep their jobs @Charl0ttewood : https://t.co/FqhlOWY7tG https://t.co/YEpdtrwUqb
— Raymond van Barneveld (@Raybar180) January 26, 2018
At the time of writing, the petition has garnered 7,100 signatures.
