Darts icon offers ‘subsequent chapter’ replace amid retirement discuss after lacking out on tour card

Darts legend Simon Whitlock has revealed the ‘next chapter’ in his iconic career following retirement talk after missing out on a PDC Tour Card

Darts legend Simon Whitlock revealed his ‘next chapter’ after missing out on a PDC Tour Card at Qualifying School.

The Aussie fell short of securing a tour card at Q-School over the weekend. Whitlock lost his place on the PDC circuit at the end of 2024 having failed to qualify for the World Championships for the first time since he returned to the PDC from the BDO in 2009.

Other famous faces to miss out on a Tour Card were ‘Queen of the Palace’ Fallon Sherrock and Women’s World No.1 Beau Greaves. Dutch duo Vincent van der Voort and Jeffrey de Zwaan also missed out.

Whitlock is as big of an icon in the sport as any despite never getting his hands on a World Championship title or any major in the UK. ‘The Wizard’ won his only major in Germany in 2012, lifting the European Championship, but his career has not reached the heights since the turn of the new decade five years ago.

The 55-year-old was unable to immediately win back his Tour Card, leading to speculation that he could step away from the sport. However, Whitlock announced he had received an offer from the World Seniors Darts.

“Delighted to have been given this opportunity by @SeniorsDarts. Can’t wait to get going at the Tavern!” Whitlock wrote on X. The WSD also welcomed Mervyn King, Van der Voort and Steve Beaton to the tour.

The World Seniors Darts Championship will be hosted at the Circus Tavern from February 15-18 with the reigning champion John Henderson. Two-time world champ and Sky Sports pundit John Part will also play in the tournament alongside ‘The Wizard’.

Despite previously stating he was “just about finished at darts” after the use of aggressive points, which Whitlock’s arrows have famously been, were banned due to the damage they were having on the boards, Whitlock rubbished retirement plans ahead of his Q-School entry.

“I will go to Q-School, and I’ll try to get my card back. If not, then I’ve got other options. Seniors Tour, Modus [Super Series] and other things,” he previously told Online Darts.

“It has opened a lot of doors for me, and I’m excited to try new things and have a hunger to win in different events now. So it’s actually a really good thing for me.”