'such a safe environment'
Darts walk-on-girls slam bosses’ decision to ditch them following the Dorchester Hotel hostess scandal
TWO of the axed darts walk-on girls have hit out at the decision to ditch them, describing how they "can't think of a female job that's more safe".
They also denied that they have ever been subjected to sexual harassment.
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SunSport exclusively revealed how bosses have decided to scrap the fan favourites from the sport.
The models have accompanied players to the oche for more than two decades.
The girls claim bosses were caving in to pressure following the Dorchester hostess scandal in which an undercover reporter claims she was groped at a men-only charity event.
Two of those affected, Charlotte Wood and Daniella Allfree, appeared on ITV's This Morning today to speak of their shock at the decision.
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The girls were told by Sky last week that they were no longer needed, but they only got the bullet from ITV on Thursday.
Speaking to Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, Daniella said: “We’re nine per cent of the advertising, we wear a sash with the logo of the sponsor of the tournament.
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"It just brings a bit of glitz and glamour to an event that’s predominately male.
“I can’t think of a female job that’s more safe. We’ve got four big security guards with us constantly, it’s such a safe environment.
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"It’s scary really where it’s going to lead this industry. We do a lot of sport, we do the horseracing, F1 grid – which for me is such a prestigious job.
"I’m really proud and it’s very sad to see what’s going to come for the next generation.”
And Charlotte added: "It’s a very enjoyable job and we feel very honoured to do the job.";
But fellow This Morning guest, journalist Sally Howard, described the job as "demeaning" and was pleased "change" was happening.
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She said: “What we are seeing is a broader social change that sees these roles as - if not demeaning to the individual, because this is an argument that it’s a choice of some of these ladies – it’s demeaning broadly to women.
"This is a structural change we are seeing with the Grammys, and I think Formula One will come.
“I think the key here is that it’s a sort of decorative role that’s making money for men.
"And you have to remember that this tradition has only been there since the 1990s. It’s no kind of old tradition, it only came about when the PDC was trying to set itself up saying they were going to do something loaded, quite sensationalist.
“Every social change has people who suffer from it. But it doesn’t mean that the change is not necessary.
"It’s fans who also support this, not just resisting it. Fans and broadcasters are behind this."
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Chiefs at the Professional Darts Corporation told those hired for the televised Masters tournament not to show up.
A PDC spokesperson said: “This move has been made following feedback from host broadcasters.”
Sky said it felt last year, in conjunction with the PDC, that it was time to axe the girls in 2018.
Karen-Jean Cookson, 46, the first ever walk-on girl in 1994, said: “It’s political correctness gone mad.”
Within hours of the news hundreds of fans signed a petition to have the girls reinstated.
Over 23,000 darts fans have signed our petition to have walk-on girls return to darts.
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