Wayne Mardle’s tragedy on eve of World Championship as Sky Sports pundit returns to screens
Darts legend Wayne Mardle made a welcome return to the World Championship
Mark Whiley Sports Reporter
10:28, 13 Dec 2025
Wayne Mardle’s tragic news was confirmed just before last year’s tournament(Image: PA)
Popular pundit Wayne Mardle is back at the World Darts Championship after missing last year’s event for tragic reasons.
On the eve of the 2024/25 tournament, it was announced that Mardle’s beloved wife of 22 years, Donna, had died following a short illness. Sky Sports darts presenter Emma Paton announced the devastating news on the opening night.
She said: “If you’re a regular viewer of Sky Sports Darts, you will notice that Wayne isn’t with us this evening. Wayne is the heart and soul of everything we do at Sky Sports Darts.
“But the heart of his world, his wonderful wife Donna, sadly passed away earlier this week after a short illness.
“We will be remembering Donna throughout the tournament, Wayne you are in our thoughts, you are in our hearts and we love you very much. We will see you soon.”
The PDC and Sky Sports paid tribute to Donna Mardle(Image: PDC/X)
The darts world and beyond were quick to pay tribute to Donna and send their condolences to Wayne. One of Mardle’s former rivals on the oche, 16-time world champion Phil Taylor, posted on X: “So sad to hear of the passing of Donna Mardle, thoughts and prayers go out to all the family.”
Understandably, Mardle missed the rest of the tournament, which was won by teenager Luke Littler. He returned to Sky Sports duty in February at the start of the Premier League and has been entertaining fans with his jovial commentary and technical insights throughout the year.
Watch the World Darts Championship on Sky Sports
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The PDC World Darts Championship gets underway on December 11 and fans can watch every match exclusively live with Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.
He has made a welcome return to the Alexandra Palace commentary booth for the 2025/26 Worlds. Addressing his return ahead of the tournament, he told the Daily Mail: “I am excited to be amongst it. I have been part of every World Championship since 1998, apart from one. It is an exciting time for the sport.”
Mardle, who famously lost his voice after calling Michael Smith’s nine-dart finish in the 2023 final against Michael van Gerwen, believes the sport is in rude health.
The current World Championship is the biggest of all time. A field of 128 started out chasing the record £1m top prize out of the total fund of £5m. It’s a far cry from Mardle’s days as a player but he says today’s stars deserve all the rewards that are on offer.
Mardle is Sky Sports’ most popular commentator(Image: Getty Images)
He said: “I’ve been around longer than most and have seen the changes. With how good these players are, they deserve it.
“Darts is an industry now, and a huge industry at that. The punters who pay to watch it on TV and live are seeing sport played at the highest level. Some of it is unimaginable.
“I’ve played the sport to a level and some of it now is mesmerising. It’s wonderful to see.”
