Fallon Sherrock — once known simply as the “Queen of the Palace” for her historic World Darts Championship breakthroughs — has spoken candidly about what she describes as the most difficult year of her life. Behind the smiling competition persona and electrifying performances lies a story of emotional struggle, personal heartbreak, and deeply human challenges that few fans fully understood.GB News+1
Sherrock’s connection to the Alexandra Palace stage is legendary. She became the first woman in history to defeat male darts professionals at the PDC World Championship, inspiring millions and making her a global icon in the sport. But off the oche, the 30-year-old has weathered storms that would shake even the most resilient athlete.Wikipedia
A Career Interrupted by Health Battles
This past year, Sherrock’s darts career has not followed the trajectory of glory many expected. After a narrow defeat at the World Championship and ongoing struggles with energy and stamina, she openly spoke about a significant health battle that affected her ability to compete at the highest level. Sherrock’s difficulties trace back to long-standing kidney issues — a condition she first began facing after the birth of her son, Rory, in 2014. The illness contributed to extended fatigue, periods away from competition, and difficult decisions about her professional future.GB News
At times, Sherrock seriously considered stepping back from competitive darts entirely. In interviews throughout the year, she admitted she has had to recalibrate her expectations — and her health — in order to find a sustainable path forward in both life and sport. Despite this, her commitment to darts remains firm, and she insists she is “feeling better” and more energized than she has in months.GB News
Heartbreak Off the Oche: The End of a High-Profile Relationship
As if health battles weren’t enough, this year Sherrock also faced emotional turmoil in her personal life with the breakup of her relationship with fellow darts player Cameron Menzies. The pair were one of the sport’s most talked-about couples, and their split made headlines across darts media. While specifics about the breakup have been kept relatively private, Sherrock confirmed the split and candidly shared how emotionally challenging it has been to balance the pressures of elite sport with personal heartbreak.GB News
Menzies himself has faced his own struggles on tour — including very public emotional moments — leading many fans to speculate on the impact of both their personal and professional pressures. Regardless of the cause, Sherrock says moving on from the relationship required tremendous inner strength.Bet365 News
A Mother’s Love: Rory at the Center of Everything
Amid all these pressures, Sherrock’s role as a mother has been her anchor. Her son Rory, now older but still central to her world, has faced his own health challenges over the years. Sherrock has described how her responsibilities as a single parent have shaped her decisions, from how she manages her time to how much of the spotlight she embraces.Wikipedia
She often speaks of Rory not just as her motivation but as her inspiration — the reason she keeps practicing, competing, and pushing through adversity. Every throw she makes on stage is driven by a desire to build a better future for him, both emotionally and financially.Wikipedia
What’s Next: A Return or a Reset?
Despite the turbulence of the last year, Sherrock’s competitive spirit remains intact. As the 2026 PDC World Championship unfolds at Alexandra Palace — the venue where she made so much history — she is once again stepping onto the oche with renewed focus. While some pundits believe another hiatus may be ahead as she prioritizes her health, Sherrock herself emphasizes that her passion for darts hasn’t diminished.Wikipedia
“I feel more positive in myself,” she said in a recent interview, “and my darts are slowly getting back to normal. There’s nothing to be unhappy about.”GB News
Fans around the world are watching closely as this remarkable athlete — who has already rewritten the history books — now seeks to rewrite her own narrative of resilience, love, loss, and recovery.
