Topics: Darts, World Darts Championship
Sky Sports commentator and former darts player Wayne Mardle has candidly spoken about rehoming his beloved dogs, Sherlock and Watson – a decision he says has "broken" him.
Mardle, who reached three consecutive World Championship semi-finals during his career before moving into the world of punditry and commentary, recently took part in a lengthy Q&A session on X, formerly Twitter.
Here, he spoke about numerous subjects, including Michael van Gerwen's recent form, his favourite destination on the Premier League calendar (Leeds) and his dream sports-related dinner party guests (Dustin Johnson, Michael Johnson and Usain Bolt).
Mardle was also asked how Sherlock and Watson, his two dogs, are getting on – a question that brought an emotional response from the former darts player.
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"I’ve not told many this, life has taken a difficult turn and I’ve had to have them rehomed," he wrote. "This has broken me. Don’t take anything for granted. I had everything I wanted now I have nothing I want."
Sherlock the Chocolate Labrador has appeared on Mardle's social media account on many occasions over the years alongside Watson the Labradoodle.
After responding to a host of questions from fans, Mardle confirmed he was "ok" after receiving a huge amount of support from well-wishers.
"I’ve had many messages and texts over the last hour or so," he wrote. "I’m ok. I assure you, you’ll hear me spouting absolute tripe as usual on Thursday at the Premier League. Loves!"
Back in December 2024, Mardle revealed that his wife of 22 years, Donna, had passed away after a short illness. He proceeded to take some time away from his media duties before returning in February 2025.
This week, Mardle took to the social media platform TikTok to bravely speak out about the grief he is going through following the tragic loss of his wife.
"This is a first for me, I'm having one of those days. This is the first of another genre of TikTok for me, I think you may even call it 'GriefTok' nowadays," he began.
"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."
Mardle continued: "So however you're feeling is how you're feeling, don't worry about it and when I say that I literally mean deal with it how you feel you want to deal with it, there's no right or wrong here.
"I used to literally go everyday to Donna's graveside. I haven't been there for the past... well, since Christmas Day and it is now February 21. I don't feel guilty, I just feel like I can't do it because it beats me, beats me every time I go over there, you have a millisecond off of forgetting, right, that's about it.
"But I just want to tell you all, that those who are going through similar, don't overthink it, don't double bluff yourself, just get on with it how you think is right and the people who question you are not your friends, they're not your family, they have a perception of grief, it's incorrect.
"It's just brutal, it really is brutal but all I'm saying to all of you is, if I can help one person, I'm not even helping myself here, I don't know what I'm doing, just do it how you want to do it, don't overthink it, please don't. I hope tomorrow is better than today."
