Wayne Mardle makes low-key return to Sky Sports for first time since tragic death of wife Donna on eve of World Champs

BRAVE Wayne Mardle made his return to Sky Sports darts commentary duties on the opening night of the Premier League in Belfast. Popular pundit Mardle, 51, is calling the shots on two games on Thursday evening in the Northern Ireland capital. The former professional player – a five-time world championship semi-finalist – had a mic in his hand for the quarter-final Grudge Match between Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen, working alongside pal Rod Studd.

And he will also work on semi-final two with co-commentator Dan Dawson at the SSE Arena, which showcased the best sport before 9,000 fans. Emma Paton introduced him with no fanfare, by simply saying: "To guide you through it, I'll hand you over to Wayne Mardle and Rod Studd.". Darts fans were thrilled to hear Mardle back on commentary, with one person taking to X to write: "Welcome back Wayne Mardle!".

Another added: "Great to have Wayne Mardle back on comms, you don’t know what you got until it’s not there I think a lot have learnt. He Injects so much energy and passion.". A third said: "Welcome back Wayne Mardle. You’ve been missed.". While a fourth wrote: "Great to hear Wayne Mardle back on commentary for the Premier League.". The sport was rocked on Sunday December 15 – the first night of the PDC World Darts Championship – when it was announced live on TV by presenter Paton that his wife Donna had died aged 52 following a short illness.

CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS. Colourful Mardle – the Voice of the Sport on Sky for many years – was absent from the 16-day worlds over Christmas on compassionate grounds. Michael van Gerwen, the three-time world champion, was one of many people to lead the tributes at Ally Pally. And the Dutchman, 35, began crying when he spoke about Donna in his second-round post-match press conference.

Sympathetic TV bosses had left the door open for Mardle’s return to work – only when he felt ready – and his comeback behind-the-scenes was a low-key affair with minimal fanfare. Mardle would normally be on stage in the arena in front of tens of thousands of fans but he decided to work only in the comms booth this time. Luke Humphries, the world no.1, was one of several players who reached out to Mardle during the World Championship.

Speaking at Wednesday’s media day, Cool Hand Luke said: “I’ve spoken to him, yeah. “I mean, what he’s told me, I won’t repeat it. That’s his business. “I think he’s coping. Of course, you don’t need me to tell you, everyone knows that when you lose a loved one, it’s really tough, isn’t it?”. Video clips of Mardle’s emotional commentary during the 2023 World final – when the victorious Michael Smith hit a nine-darter finish just seconds after Van Gerwen had missed his own perfect leg attempt – went viral.

Mardle, one of the best TV pundits around, provided the right words at the right time alongside the excellent Stuart Pyke. His memorable comments in the moment of ecstasy – ‘I CAN’T SPAKE” – were taken from 1980s rugby league commentator Mick Morgan. Words that Mardle, nicknamed Hawaii 501, often said in his kitchen at home to tease wife Donna whenever she got his tea order wrong. Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.