The darts world was rocked recently when Fallon Sherrock—affectionately known around Alexandra Palace as the “Queen of the Palace”—announced that she will be taking an extended break from professional competition in 2026 to focus on her health. It’s not just fatigue, burnout, or lack of form. Behind the scenes, Sherrock has been battling a serious and ongoing issue: kidney disease.
A Hidden Struggle
It turns out that Fallon’s health battles stretch back many years. After giving birth to her son in 2014, she began suffering from kidney-related problems that seriously affected her stamina, energy, and overall well-being. She has publicly shared that she was diagnosed in 2014 and required treatment in 2017 due to the worsening condition.
These issues haven’t just stayed behind closed doors. Fallon has described having to pull out of exhibitions, missing tournaments, and even practising at home becoming a challenge because her body simply didn’t allow it. The side-effects of medication have also visibly changed her appearance, and the constant fatigue has made playing at her “A-game” increasingly difficult.
The Big Announcement
In June 2025, Sherrock made a heart-wrenching announcement: she will try to compete in what remains of the current season—including pushing for qualification in both the Grand Slam of Darts and the PDC World Championship—but will then take 2026 off to “get well again.” She emphasized that she needs time to recover fully—to rest, to heal, to regain strength.
“When I’m going to have a year out next year I want to make a bang this year,” she said. “I need to sort myself out, get myself well and then the sky is the limit.”The Independent+2Dartsnews.com+2 Even now, she acknowledges that her performances are not what they once were—what she calls her “B-game” rather than her best.The Independent+1
Why This Break Matters
For Sherrock, this isn’t just a sports sabbatical. It’s a moment of reckoning. For over a decade she’s played under the weight of a chronic illness that erodes not just physical strength, but also mental stamina. Continuing at top level while fighting constant health setbacks can take a brutal toll.
Fans are devastated—but many more are inspired. Sherrock has broken barriers in darts: first woman to beat a man at Alexandra Palace in the PDC World Championship, iconic figure for women in a male-dominated sport, someone who turned adversity into triumph again and again.
What’s Next?
Sherrock says she isn’t retiring. This is a pause—a chance to heal, rebuild, then return. The coming year will test her resilience off the oche. Will she recover enough to meet the expectations she’s set for herself? Only time will tell. But one thing is clear: this “Queen” still has unfinished business—and maybe, when she comes back, she will be stronger than ever
