Broadcaster and ex-darts star Mark Webster reveals cancer diagnosis
Mark Webster has revealed he has been diagnosed with blood cancer.
The former darts player stepped away from broadcasting in February with details of his medical condition not disclosed at the time.
The 42-year-old has now revealed he was diagnosed with hairy cell leukaemia in January.
Webster’s cancer diagnosis
Speaking to Darts World’s Polly James, Webster explained: “I never really added anything on it because I assumed I’d be back a lot sooner, but on January 8 I was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer called hairy cell leukaemia.
“It sounds bad when you say leukaemia but it’s got a good prognosis, 95 per cent of cases are successful. I will be put it into some sort of remission at some point.
“It’s just the recovery at the minute is not going to plan in terms of the speed of it.
“My white blood (cell) counts are still not recovering, so therefore my immune system is not great at the minute. Hence why I can’t go back to work.
“It’s not the worst case scenario, but it’s just a bit frustrating for me at the minute, but I’m managing okay, I’m dealing with it alright.”
Webster is a regularly fixture of Sky Sports’ darts coverage and was also announced as part of ITV’s new-look line-up earlier this year.
However, he has not appeared as a pundit since night one of the Premier League in Newcastle on February 5.
A planned return in Brighton last month had to be put off due to his blood cell count, Webster has revealed.
Webster on recovery process
The Welshman added: “I can work with people but just not in sensitive environments. It’s frustrating really, day to day I am used to being busy.
“The Premier League on February 5th is the last time I worked. I am just managing it and trusting the people that have been looking after me.
“They have been really good. I don’t always get the answer that I want when I go in, but I have got to trust them.
“I got a bit carried away a couple of weeks ago thinking I might be able to work in Brighton, but my blood count was too low.
“My understanding is we are just keeping an eye on them and I am currently on boosters and they are going up.
“Hopefully I can come off those boosters, then they have to hold and I can return to work. It’s just a case of trusting the process.”
As for his current recovery process, he said: “I have a blood test on a weekly basis, so I have them done then I go and see my specialist every few weeks, then I just go from there.”
Webster won the BDO World Darts Championship in 2008 before spending a decade in the PDC.
Since retiring in 2019, he has become one of the most recognisable figures in darts broadcasting.
His playing career also included two runs to the semi-finals of the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.
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