Wayne Mardle made an emotional return to the commentary booth on Thursday night, marking his first appearance since the heartbreaking loss of his wife, Donna.
The 51-year-old darts pundit, known for his vibrant presence, had been absent from the World Championship after his wife’s passing in December.
His return to Sky Sports Darts was met with an outpouring of support, both from fans and fellow players.
A Special Moment in Belfast
Mardle rejoined the commentary team alongside Rod Studd for an intense quarter-final clash between Michael van Gerwen and world champion Luke Littler in Belfast.
It was a fitting game for his comeback, as the atmosphere was electric, and the match lived up to expectations.
After the match concluded, Mardle took to social media platform X to express his gratitude, simply writing, “I needed that,” followed by a heart emoji.
The message resonated with fans, who flooded the comments with words of encouragement and support.
Littler’s Classy Message
Among those who reached out was 18-year-old darts sensation Luke Littler.
Despite suffering a narrow 6-5 defeat to Van Gerwen, Littler made time to send a heartfelt message, tagging Mardle on X and writing, “Great to have you back.”
His response highlighted the mutual respect within the darts community and the impact Mardle has had on the sport.
Fellow darts professionals Luke Humphries and Rob Cross also acknowledged Mardle’s return, sharing their own tributes to the beloved commentator.
A Loss That Touched the Darts Community
The passing of Mardle’s wife, Donna, was announced during the opening night of the World Championship in December.
Sky Sports presenter Emma Paton delivered a touching tribute at the start of the broadcast, stating, “Wayne is the heart and soul of everything we do here at Sky Sports Darts.
But the heart of his world, his wonderful wife Donna, sadly passed away earlier this week after a short illness.”
The Sky Sports Darts social media account also expressed their condolences, sending their “thoughts, prayers, and condolences” to Mardle and his family.
A Tense Match With Added Drama
Mardle’s return coincided with a fiery showdown between Littler and Van Gerwen.
The match carried extra tension due to Van Gerwen’s comments ahead of the game.
The Dutchman had criticized Littler for arriving 45 minutes late to a pre-game photoshoot, calling him a “baby” and emphasizing the need for professionalism in the sport.
“It happens. He has to learn. You have to learn the hard way,” Van Gerwen remarked.
“It’s a professional sport, so you have to be responsible for your actions. Simple as that.”
Littler took the criticism in stride, responding with maturity, “I always let my darts do the talking. But he’s not wrong, I was late.”
The Crowd Reacts, But Littler Intervenes
As Van Gerwen stepped up to the oche for the final leg, boos erupted from the crowd.
However, Littler quickly signaled for the fans to quiet down, demonstrating sportsmanship and respect for his opponent.
Van Gerwen remained composed, sealing his victory and avenging his loss to Littler in last month’s World Championship final.
Mardle’s return to the booth, Littler’s display of class, and the high-stakes nature of the match made for a memorable night in the world of darts.
The Premier League season is just beginning, and with rivalries heating up, fans can expect plenty more drama in the weeks to come.
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