Wayne Mardle issued a touching statement on social media after making his return to the Sky Sports punditry team for Thursday night’s Premier League opener.
The much-loved voice of darts had missed the recent World Championship after his wife Donna passed away just before the tournament got underway.
There wasn’t been a timescale put on Mardle’s absence from the microphone, with his return to the Sky Sports commentary box having been kept under wraps ahead of Thursday’s Premier League opener.
The former player was given an understated welcome back, with presenter Emma Paton introducing Mardle alongside Rod Studd for Luke Littler’s night one clash against Michael van Gerwen, before later presiding over the Green Machine’s semi-final against Luke Humphries.
Mardle didn’t reference his time away from punditry during the match, with the ex-darts ace instead opting to focus on the playing action instead.
His first words came among a flurry of action at the oche, with Mardle saying: “Good evening – evening all, didn’t take him long [in response to Van Gerwen’s 180-hitting start]!”
It didn’t take Mardle long to settle back into his own groove either, with the 51-year-old appearing to enjoy himself during the 6-5 thriller, which Van Gerwen edged over the recently crowned champion of the world.
And commenting after the action had finished, Mardle spoke about his joy of having returned to commentary action.
Taking to X/Twitter following the Littler vs Van Gerwen epic, Mardle posted: “I needed that! [red heart emoji]”
Unsurprisingly, darts fans were delighted to have Hawaii 501 back behind the mic, with @DaveConnellySG replying: “Darts did not feel the same without you, Wayne. So awesome to have you back.”
@ftfcknippers said: “Darts is a much better place with you around it. Welcome back.”
@Colioakes responded: “It made my night hearing you back on comms mate [x3 clapping hands emoji].”
@shevdogs added: “So nice to have you back Wayne [hands and darts emoji].”
While @anonymous_darts said: “COME ON NOW,” a reference to Mardle’s iconic darts catchphrase.
Mardle’s absence was sorely felt during the 2025 World Championship, with Sky Sports’ Paton having said at the time: “If you are a regular viewer of Sky Sports Darts, you will notice that Wayne is not here with us this evening.
“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.”
“We will be remembering Donna throughout this tournament. Wayne, you are in our thoughts, you are in our hearts, we love you very much. And we will see you very soon.”
The action returns for night two from Glasgow next week.
