Darts commentator Wayne Mardle set to land new job on three-year deal

Wayne Mardle is set for a new role on ITV’s darts coverage beginning in 2026.

Mardle has been a key figure on Sky Sports’ coverage of darts over the past decade helping grow the popularity of the sport.

Darts is now the second-highest popular sport on Sky Sports behind Premier League football and the man nicknamed ‘Hawaii 501’ has been the voice behind its rise.

According to The Sun, Mardle will remain a key part of Sky’s year-round darts broadcast team and will prioritise their coverage.

That will include the upcoming PDC World Darts Championship and the start of Premier League Darts in February.

Flexible contract

Mardle’s contract with Sky is a non-exclusive one, meaning he can work for other broadcasters.

That has seen Matchroom media approach, who have taken over the running of the production for ITV events, approach Mardle to bring his expertise to terrestrial television.

It comes after ITV and the PDC agreed a new three-year extension to their broadcasting rights.

The new deal starts in January and will cover a host of events including the World Masters, UK Open, European Championship and the Players Championship Finals.

ITV will also show all World Series of Darts global events and the World Series of Darts Finals on ITV4 and across its streaming platform ITVX.

The channel’s broadcasting team will have a fresh feel in 2026 following the departure of long-serving darts presenter Jacqui Oatley, who called time on her role after ten years of service at the conclusion of the Players Championship Finals last weekend.

She took to social media last Friday to announce her departure, writing: “En route to Minehead for my final darts tournament with ITV Sport.

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“It’s been an incredible ten-plus years, far longer for some of the other pundits/crew. So much fun and so many laughs. So we’re going to make the most of it and go out with a bang.

“Three double sessions over the weekend. PS I’ve brought sequins. The darts will continue on ITV4 but a different production.

“So all good. I’ll be watching with my slippers on instead of sequins. Or maybe both. #SequinsandSlippers.”

Mardle could be joined by former talkSPORT commentator Dan Dawson with ITV eyeing a double swoop.

Dawson has become Sky’s mainstay in their darts coverage and could soon join his broadcast colleague in a different capacity.