A journalist sparked criticism after arguing that the use of 'walk-on' girls at sporting events is demeaning to women.

Speaking on ITV's This Morning, journalist Sally Howard said there was 'broad support' for a move towards the sports industry removing walk-on girls from matches altogether.

The debate on the daytime show came after the Professional Darts Corporation scrapped its custom of having glamorously dressed women escort male players on stage - starting with the Masters in Milton Keynes.

Howard argued that many women find the addition of walk-on girls offensive, pointing out that female viewers might find it 'demeaning' that 'this is their role in sports'.

This was despite being joined on the sofa by two darts walk-on girls who professed to love the job, which they said they felt 'honoured' to perform.

The remarks from the journalist, who insisted that the girls' role was purely 'decorative', prompted some on Twitter to brand her views 'ridiculous'.

Journalist Sally Howard (right) said walk on girls were 'demeaning' on This Morning on Monday

Howard said they were merely there to serve a 'decorative' purpose, and that there only job is to look attractive for and make money for men.

Many viewers slammed her argument, with many taking to Twitter to tell her to 'get a grip' and 'leave the walk-on girls alone'.

She told the women: 'It's great that you don't feel demeaned but by people watching you, families sitting there and watching you being in a decorative role, girls in that room might feel demeaned that this is their role in sports.'

Viewers slammed her arguments, and questioned why she was telling the women they were being demeaned when they were happy in their jobs

When asked how she felt about walk-on girls now losing their jobs as a result of the rule change, Sally said it was 'necessary'.

'Every social change has people who suffer from it,' she said.

'People suffered when Miss World came off air, people lost money from it, but it doesn't meant that the social change isn't necessary.

'It's fans who also support this, it's not all fans who are resisting it... There's a broad support.'

Charlotte Wood, 29, and Daniella Allfree, 30, (left and right) said they were 'honoured' to be walk out girls

But many viewers disagreed with her argument, with some pointing out that the women actually doing the job didn't find it demeaning.

One tweeted: 'If these women want to do be ''walk-on girls'' then let them. If they aren't being forced into it and are happy to do it, then what's the problem?'

Another posted: 'These girls are literally telling you they like being walk-on girls and don’t feel objectified and this woman (not a walk-on girl) is telling them they’re wrong?'

'Banning walk-on girls is absolutely ridiculous,' a third wrote.

The pair don't believe they would be harassed in their job, saying it was more 'safe' than most jobs

In the debate Howard faced off against two walk-on girls, Daniella Allfree, 30, and Charlotte Wood, 29, both of whom said they loved their work.

Daniella said: 'I can't think of a female job that's more safe. We've got security with us constantly. It's such a safe environment.'

'It's a very desirable job and we're very honoured to do the job,' Charlotte said.

Charlotte said that the group of walk-on girls are 'like a family' as they said they've had 26,000 people send them messages of support since the ban was announced.

Daniella went on: 'It's scary really where it's going to lead for this industry... It's really sad and very scary for what's going to come for the next generation.'

They women said they are 'comfortable' in the industry as they get to choose their own outfits and work closely with the sponsors.

When asked how she felt about women losing their jobs, Howard said it was 'necessary' for social change

'We feel we're a big part of the darts,' Charlotte added.

Women dressed in revealing outfits have accompanied darts players to the oche - or the throw line - for more than 20 years in a practice that has recently come under fire amid a global conversation around sexism and gender imbalance.

Now the Professional Darts Corporation has decided to act, starting at this weekend's Masters in Milton Keynes.

'We regularly review all aspects of our events and this move has been made following feedback from our host broadcasters,' a spokesman said

Last year, world number one Michael van Gerwen predicted the move, saying in an interview with AD Sportwereld: 'The PDC wants more people to see it as a sport. It does not interest me [walk-on girls]. It is just a sport.'

The move has triggered a petition to reinstate the girls, which had attracted 15,000 signatures by Sunday and was backed by former world champion Raymond van Barneveld.

'I will really miss the girls!! For me they are a part of the darts,' he wrote.