On June 2, 2025, Fallon Sherrock, the trailblazing darts player known as the “Queen of the Palace,” revealed in an emotional interview with Online Darts that she plans to take a year-long break from professional darts in 2026 to prioritize her health, per GB News. Sherrock, who made history in 2019 as the first woman to defeat a male opponent at the PDC World Darts Championship, has been battling kidney disease since her 2014 diagnosis, which has caused significant physical challenges, including a “moon face” from medications, per Sports Fury. She admitted, “All I want to do is practice at home for a couple of hours a day, and I can’t do that at the moment. I’ve had to pull out of some exhibitions recently because I haven’t had the stamina,” per Darts News.
Sherrock, 30, expressed frustration at playing her “B-game,” stating, “I feel like it will be my B-game [at the moment], and I don’t know if I am able to get my A-game out,” per BBC Sport. Despite her struggles, she remains determined to compete in the 2025 Grand Slam of Darts and PDC World Championship before stepping away, with hopes of returning stronger, saying, “I just need to get myself well again, and then the sky is the limit,” per The Independent. Her recent first-round loss to Ryan Meikle at the 2024/25 World Championship and ongoing health issues have limited her participation, per Wales Online.
Fans on X, like @DartsNews02, expressed sadness but support, noting her resilience, per. Sherrock, who lives with her partner, darts player Cameron Menzies, aims to regain her 2020 form, when her Ally Pally heroics captivated audiences, per RTÉ. Her decision underscores the toll of her condition but reflects her optimism for a future comeback.
