‘Thrown in the gutter’ – Ex-darts star upset after being dropped from coverage after 20 years

Alan Warriner-Little took to social media to voice his frustrations after not being included on ITV’s new darts line-up.

The broadcaster unveiled their new-look line-up for 2026 ahead of the Bahrain Masters, which starts on Thursday.

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It comes after the PDC agreed a three-year extension with the broadcaster.

High-profile PDC events, including the World Masters, UK Open, World Series of Darts Finals, European Championship and Players Championship Finals will be aired on free-to-air TV until at least 2028.

One man who was not in the line-up is 2001 World Grand Prix winner and two-time World Championship semi-finalist Warriner-Little.

He wrote on X: “It would have be nice/professional after 20 years service with ITV to at least be told I have been thrown in the gutter. Good Luck to everyone. #VeryPoor I shall be from this point reviewing everything I do.“

talkSPORT have contacted the PDC for comment.

New darts line-up

Gabbie Partington and Pete Graves will front the broadcasts.

talkSPORT golf reporter Partington will host the upcoming World Series of Darts double-header in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

The punditry team will include Wayne Mardle, Glenn Durant, Mark Webster, Chris Mason, and Dan Dawson.

Also on the commentary team are Mark Wilson and talkSPORT legend Ian Danter.

Bahrain Masters

World champion Luke Littler has been handed an eye-catching tie against 71-year-old Paul Lim in the first round.

Littler is fresh from signing a new 10-year deal with darts manufacturer Target worth a reported £20million.

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Speaking to talkSPORT shortly after winning his second world title, Littler said: “I want to go and try and win that title in Bahrain once again.

“I obviously want to set a marker and try and win the first Saudi Arabian World Series.

“After Saudi Arabia, me, mum dad and Faith, we’re going over to Dubai for three, four nights and chill out.”

Second seed Luke Humphries plays Abdulla Saeed while World Championship runner-up Gian van Veen plays Man Lok Yeung.

Gerwyn Price will face dancing Ally Pally star Motomu Sakai while defending champion Stephen Bunting takes on Ryusei Azemoto and Danny Noppert takes on Basem Mahmood.

Catch all the latest news and interviews on the talkSPORT Darts YouTube channel.