Fallon bows out saying ‘I have turned people into darts fans’

FALLON Sherrock believes she has shown that women can compete with the best male darts players on the planet as her fairytale run at the PDC World Championship came to an end in the third round.

The 25-year-old fell to a 4-2 defeat to Chris Dobey in front of a raucous crowd at Alexandra Palace, with the 22nd seed having to use earplugs in an attempt to drown out the fans roaring their support for his opponent.

Sherrock became the first woman to win a match at the tournament on December 18 when beating Ted Evetts and followed it up with a shock victory over world number 11 Mensur Suljovic.

But Dobey proved too strong, fighting back from 2-1 down to silence the partisan crowd.

“I have helped darts in general,” the trailblazer said when asked about her lasting legacy at the tournament.

“I think there’s people now who didn’t watch darts but want to watch it. Especially with the ladies game, I have proved we can compete with all these men, we need more opportunities.”

The former mobile hairdresser (above), who has a five-year-old autistic son, has certainly been the breakout star of the championships, regardless of what happens in the rest of the tournament.

Her achievements have transcended the sport. In demand from TV and radio stations, she has also drawn praise from the likes of Billie Jean King, who said on Twitter she had “inspired millions”.

The tennis great also hailed her “talent and grace under pressure” and Sherrock revealed she had relished her time in the spotlight.

“I feel so confident up there, I feel so comfortable, the most comfortable I have ever played on a stage,” she said. “I loved every minute of it.”

Sherrock’s achievements have even made it to Hollywood, with actress Sarah Jessica Parker saying on Instagram: “@fsherrock Making history and our hearts stop as we watched in astonishment and awe. A household of fans and admirers send their congratulations. X, SJ.”

Sherrock is known as ‘The Queen’ by fans and there were plenty of supporters on Friday night dressed as her, decked out in blonde wigs.

Sherrock will be back in action at the BDO Women’s World Championship, for which she is the fourth seed, on January 4.