'I'm a darts walk-on girl - it's not sexist, I can't wait to make a glamorous comeback'
Darts walk-on girls were banned in 2018, but they are finally getting their jobs back. Here Charlotte Wood, a walk-on girl herself, and presenter Emma Woolf debate whether the role is feminist or not
Walk-on girls are returning to televised darts after six years. The glamorous women in short dresses and heels were a stalwart of the event for more than 20 years, before they were axed by the Professional Darts Corporation in January 2018 amid concerns that their role was sexist.
Now Daniella Allfree and Charlotte Wood, both 36, will be making a comeback in their roles at the the World Seniors Matchplay in October. Jason Francis, speaking for the World Seniors Darts Tour explains: " We have signed them up long term. Its not a gimmick. They are ambassadors for the sport.
"We got a lot of feedback and interaction from fans and people kept telling us it would be great to see the girls again., and so we've done it. We thought it was a great opportunity foe them. They are going to be part of the darts furniture. It is going to be a chance to relieve a piece of history."
READ MORE: Walk-on girls to make darts return six years after being scrapped over sexism row
However, although darts fans love the walk-on girls and they too love their jobs, there are some that find the role to be antiquated. Here Charlotte Wood and presenter Emma Woolf argue for and against the glamorous job.
MY LIFE MY CHOICE
Charlotte Wood, 36, and from Leicestershire, was one of the most prominent walk-on girls at the darts until she was fired by the Professional Darts Corporation in January 2018 amid concerns her role was sexist. She has now been rehired in the role at the World Seniors Matchplay in October. She tells the Mirror : "I am very excited to be back as a walk-on girl. 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.
"I got the job 10 years ago through a modelling agency, but it is not just about being a modelling. It's about how you present yourself on TV, and we do a lot for social media - you need to have a big personality. People tried to say it was demeaning but we choose what we wear and how we look. Modelling is a profession like any other and my modelling career took me down the darts route which I loved and am very happy to be a part of.
"You watch others in adverts selling shampoo and they are hired because they are attractive. You've got your own choice as a woman in 2024, and I want to do this and I love this job so why does it affect people so badly? We are businesswomen too, this year myself and fellow walk-on girl Daniella Allfree, who is one of my best friends, are launching our ninth calendar. This is a well paid job - we don't feel exploited at all! I was sad when the role was axed before, it was a big part of my life. The main people that had an opinion were not darts fans, but we had an outpouring of support from fans. There was a petition made with over 50,000 signatures. It was gutting at the time and I am very proud to be back."
BAD MESSAGE TO SEND
Presenter and author Emma Woolf, from London, is the great-niece of Virginia Woolf. She believes that jobs such as walk-on girls set women back in the modern world.....
"It’s both hilarious and embarrassing, the idea that women have to strip right down and parade themselves around from men who all have beer bellies, watching the darts in the pub. It just seems so anachronistic. It’s almost like a Carry On film, or your drunken brother at a wedding… but this is 2024.
I don't understand where this decision has come from or why they feel it's necessary. We have fought for decades now to be more than just a dolly bird, a bit of eye candy hanging off a man's arm. We're so much more than just that. Why can’t women be judged in the same way men are judged, on their gifts and abilities, rather than how they look?
Of course there’s the argument that those women are choosing that for their career but it's not really a career, it's not even dignified, it embarrasses and demeans then and it brings down the tone for all women actually.
I mean, what message does that send to young girls? The men are playing sports and being rewarded for that, and the women are piling on the makeup, false eyelashes, fake nails and fake boots and they're prancing around for the men to ogle, and then clear the women away and let's get started on the serious stuff. I thought we were moving away from that and it’s really depressing that we’re bringing that back in 2024.
Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .
Related
Share this page
Guest Posts by Easy Branches
