16 June 2023 , 21:30
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Queen of the Palace Fallon Sherrock will meet the King of the Palace after being awarded an MBE in the Birthday Honours List.
The first female winner at the PDC World Championship has been recognised for her services to women's darts in the first Honours published since King Charles' coronation.
Sherrock, who defends her title as winner of the inaugural Women's World Matchplay in Blackpool next month, said: "I am honoured and overwhelmed.
"To have received this level of recognition for my contribution to the game I love is beyond my wildest dreams. I never considered that I would ever receive such an esteemed honour and I am beyond grateful.
"I have been fortunate to hear of the widespread impact that my success has had in getting more people watching and playing darts, and particularly in inspiring girls and young women to take up darts and other sports. That makes me incredibly proud and excited.
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"That is a worthwhile legacy, all stemming from one landmark moment at Alexandra Palace followed by other successes, and is something that I want to continue to promote.”
Sherrock made headlines worldwide when she beat Ted Evetts and Mensur Suljovic at Alexandra Palace in December 2019, with tennis royalty Billie Jean King leading the chorus of acclaim.
Later she reached the final of the 2021 Nordic Darts Masters event, losing narrowly to three-times world champion Michael van Gerwen, and the Grand Slam of Darts quarter-finals.
Fallon Sherrock acknowledges the fans at the PDC World Championships (Getty Images)She added: "I am looking forward to visiting Buckingham Palace to receive this honour, which I regard as a reflection of the enormous popularity of darts and as a symbol of hope and possibility for aspiring darts players and sportswomen across the country."
Sherrock joins illustrious company in former world champions Eric Bristow, John Lowe and Trina Gulliver as darts stars to be awarded the MBE.
PDC chief executive Matt Porter said: "We congratulate Fallon on being awarded the MBE and this is a great recognition for the impact she has made in the sport.
"She has been a global trailblazer for women's darts and has helped to raise standards in women's darts to a new level.
"This will be another boost for women's darts and we also hope that this can spur on Fallon to further success."