FALLON’S FEAR
Queen of the oche has to play it safe with kidney condition
FALLON SHERROCK is scared to go out – even when lockdown is loosened – because a kidney illness has left her in the coronavirus high-risk category.
The first lady of darts meets 16-time world champion Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor in the match-up fans want to see on Thursday.
But the former hairdresser, who cut Ted Evetts and Mensur Suljovic down to size in the World Championships at Alexandra Palace in December, has become a virtual recluse since the pandemic came calling.
And even if the virus is brought under control, Sherrock will exercise her own social distancing in future – admitting she will feel uneasy about shaking hands and joining in with the fist-bumping, highfiving palaver of playing on stage.
In the latest – and most intriguing – Paddy Power challenge match on an interactive
Target
Nexus board and streamed on social media, Taylor and Sherrock go head-to-head in their living rooms to raise money for the NHS Heroes charity.
Taylor’s two special challenge matches against Raymond van Barneveld and Mikuru Suzuki have already raised £26,200. He has never lost to Sherrock but her greatest concern remains her health – and how vulnerable she remains to catching the virus because of a chronic kidney condition that developed six months after giving birth to her six-year-old son, Rory. Sherrock said: “The only thing I worry about is if they lift the restrictions and don’t have it under control.
“If there is no cure for it and they are still trying to manage it, my worries will come in – especially with a kidney problem. I’m hoping they won’t do that without any secure information behind that decision.
“I went to the Isle of Man a week before the lockdown but I have hardly been out since then.
“I catch colds so easily. I know if I go out and someone has got it, I will get it. I know I will catch it very quick. I will just stay in.”
Sherrock held triple Lakeside world champion Glen Durrant to a 6-6 draw as a Premier League guest challenger at Nottingham, just before sport was shut down.
She fears the tactile age of interaction with fans may fall by the wayside when tournaments resume, admitting: “I will definitely take a bit more care.
“I won’t be getting too close to people when we eventually get back to normal. I will still be very cautious in terms of shaking people’s hands, keeping my distance.”
Phil Taylor v Fallon Sherrock takes place on Thursday at 7pm on Sky Sports and Paddy Power social media channels.