PALACE QUEEN Fallon Sherrock has withdrawn from the BDO World Darts Championship, throwing the entire tournament in doubt.
Sherrock, 25, has decided to walk away from the new event at the Indigo at London’s O2 Arena after the British Darts Organisation controversially slashed the prize pool.
Given she was one of the headline acts, her decision could kick-start a mass exodus of players before the weekend – and see the event not happen at all.
Female players had been promised this summer a world record purse of £20,000 for winning the world title on January 12.
Yet that figure has now been cut to just £8,000 because the BDO is struggling financially following poor ticket sales and rising TV production costs.
The 25-year-old, celebrated for beating two men at the PDC World Darts Championship, was set to play close pal Corrine Hammond from Australian in the first round on Saturday afternoon.
Yet a statement put out by her management company Modus Darts says she will skip the event and focus on the PDC Q School in Wigan.
It read: “Fallon Sherrock has decided not to take part in the BDO Women’s World Championship next week.
“This decision took many factors into consideration, including unexpected changes to the event.
“Fallon offers best wishes to the BDO and best of luck to those taking part.
“In the meantime, Fallon is looking forward to doing her best in the other tournaments in 2020.”
Japan’s Mikuru Suzuki, the reigning women’s world champion, is set to LOSE money even if she retains her title because of flight and accommodation costs.
In a grovelling letter to players less than a week before the tournament starts at The O2, the BDO admitted they cannot guarantee prize money as they have sold just 15 per cent of the tickets.
Assuming the event still goes ahead, the men’s champion is expected to receive just £50,000 – half of the 2019 winners’ purse.
The BDO World Championship was unexpectedly moved from its Lakeside Country Club base in Surrey after 33 years to the Indigo nightclub at London's O2 Arena.
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