Sky Sports darts pundit to take broadcasting break as statement issued

Sky Sports darts pundit Mark Webster is to take a break from TV duties due to a medical condition, it has been confirmed.

Webster is a key part of Sky Sports' broadcasting line-up, covering major darts events like the World Championships and Premier League.

In addition, he was also announced part of ITV's brand spanking darts coverage, with the terrestrial broadcaster having the rights to the World Series, the World Masters, the UK Open, the World Series of Darts Finals, the European Championship and the Players Championship Finals.

But with events coming thick and fast, Webster will step away for a period as he deals with a medical condition. His management team put out a statement on Wednesday but did not disclose details of the health issue.

Webster has been a regular for Sky Sports' coverage of darts. Image: Getty

Modus, who look after many professional darts players, took to social media and wrote: “On behalf of Mark Webster, MODUS Sports Management can confirm that Mark will be taking a short break from his broadcasting duties, due to a personal medical condition.

“We please ask that you respect Mark’s privacy at this time.”

In his career, Webster became BDO world champion back in 2008 when he beat 7-5 Simon Whitlock in the final. In the PDC era, he reached the semi-finals of the World Championship on two occasions but suffered defeats to Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis.

The Welshman retired in 2019 after a tough battle with dartitis where he struggled to release his darts and the condition did not improve.

Webster's punditry pal Wayne Mardle took a break from broadcasting at the end of 2024 following the death of his wife Donna.

Wayne Mardle spoke about struggling to grieve the loss of his wife. Image: Getty

The five-time world championship semi-finalists was absent from the tournament at Alexandra Palace while on compassionate leave.

Mardle made his return in February 2025 and has continued to be on hand for analysis on the biggest clashes in the sport.

Earlier this week, 'Hawaii 501' posted a video on TikTok where he opened up about his grief and the "brutal" experience.

"This is a first for me, I'm having one of those days," Mardle said.

"This is the first of another genre of TikTok for me, I think you may even call it 'GriefTok' nowadays.

"Normally it is a bit of golf and a bit of darts. My wife Donna died on December 11, 2024, so about 430 odd days ago, I used to count the days, call that progress, call it what you like. It doesn't feel like progress, it is absolutely brutal. The reason I'm doing this is, while it is brutal, I am still here and all you can do is keep trying, right, keep trying.

"It is a process, so I'm told and you go through stages. You don't go through stages. You go through phases, there's a phase and then there's another phase. Before you know it that phase is returning so the stage or phase you think is going to pass, it doesn't work that way."