“Hawaii 501” will make his ITV debut at the World Masters next weekend while maintaining his Sky Sports commitments
Wayne Mardle has confirmed he’ll make his long-awaited ITV debut at the Winmau World Masters next weekend, marking a new chapter for one of darts’ most recognizable broadcasting voices.
The 52-year-old five-time World Championship semi-finalist broke his months-long social media silence to answer fan questions on X, revealing that his first appearance on the revamped ITV coverage will take place at Arena MK in Milton Keynes from January 29 to February 1.
A Broadcasting Fixture Expands His Reach
Mardle has been a cornerstone of Sky Sports’ darts coverage since 2011, becoming synonymous with the sport’s biggest moments on the satellite channel. His famous “I can’t spake” reaction during Michael Smith’s nine-dart finish in the 2023 World Championship final cemented his status as one of the sport’s most beloved commentators.
Now, the broadcaster known as “Hawaii 501” is adding ITV to his portfolio under a non-exclusive arrangement that allows him to work across both channels. The move comes as part of a major overhaul of ITV’s darts production, with Matchroom Media taking over from the previous team.
The World Masters Marks a New Beginning
Mardle will join Pete Graves, a long-standing Sky Sports presenter, for the World Masters coverage, with Graves serving as lead anchor for the Milton Keynes event. The tournament represents the first major PDC event under ITV’s new production setup.
Gabbie Partington, who fronted ITV’s recent World Series coverage in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, won’t be in Milton Keynes, suggesting the new ITV team will rotate presenters based on availability rather than maintaining a permanent crew for every tournament.
This marks a significant shift from ITV’s previous approach, where presenters like Jacqui Oatley, Chris Mason, and Alan Warriner-Little appeared at virtually every broadcast. The new structure allows Sky Sports regulars like Mardle, Glen Durrant, Mark Webster, and Dan Dawson to work both channels without conflicts.
Return to Social Media
Mardle’s confirmation came after he returned to X following several months away from the platform. Fans immediately welcomed “Hawaii 501” back and peppered him with questions about his upcoming ITV work and predictions for the World Masters.
When asked if he’d be working the Milton Keynes event, Mardle kept it simple: “I will be. I’m looking forward to it.”
Lewis Over Littler in One Key Area
During his social media exchange, Mardle also weighed in on Luke Littler’s dominance, offering a surprising assessment when asked whether the teenage sensation is the best grouper of a dart ever.
“No. In my opinion Adrian Lewis was different level,” Mardle responded, highlighting one facet where he believes the two-time world champion surpasses the current darting phenomenon.
Both Littler and Lewis share the same birthday—January 21—making the comparison particularly timely. While Littler continues to rewrite record books and collect major titles at an unprecedented pace, Mardle’s comment suggests that in the specific technical skill of grouping darts tightly together, Lewis remains the gold standard.
What the Move Means for Darts Broadcasting
The three-year deal between ITV and the PDC runs through 2028 and includes coverage of the World Masters, UK Open, European Championship, World Series events, World Series Finals, and Players Championship Finals. All events will air on ITV4 and the ITVX streaming platform, ensuring free-to-air access continues for British darts fans.
Mardle’s dual role across Sky and ITV represents the new broadcasting landscape for professional darts. While Sky retains exclusive rights to the World Championship and Premier League—the sport’s two flagship events—ITV’s expanded coverage means familiar voices will now work across both networks throughout the season.
The arrangement avoids scheduling conflicts, allowing Mardle to prioritize his Sky commitments while bringing his expertise and personality to ITV’s tournament coverage. For viewers, it means more access to one of the sport’s most knowledgeable and entertaining analysts.
A Different Production Approach
The shift to Matchroom production has already sparked debate among darts fans. The departure of long-standing ITV fixtures like Oatley, Ned Boulting, and Stuart Pyke represents a clean break from the channel’s 18-year production history with the sport.
Some fans have expressed disappointment at the changes, particularly the exit of Warriner-Little, whose dry wit and deep knowledge earned him a dedicated following. Others view the injection of Sky Sports talent like Mardle and Dawson as a natural evolution that brings consistency across both broadcasts.
Looking Ahead
For Mardle, the World Masters represents his first opportunity to showcase his talents on terrestrial television while maintaining his established presence on Sky. The 14-year broadcasting veteran has built his reputation on passionate commentary, deep tactical analysis, and genuine enthusiasm for the sport he competed in at the highest level.
Whether he can replicate that success on ITV remains to be seen, but his return to social media suggests he’s ready to embrace the challenge. As he told one fan asking about his World Masters predictions, he’s learned his lesson after backing Danny Noppert in Saudi Arabia, saying he’s now “a little fragile” when it comes to bold predictions.
Still, when it comes to broadcasting darts, Wayne Mardle has proven over 14 years that fragility isn’t part of his vocabulary. Next weekend at the World Masters, ITV viewers will get their first chance to see if “Hawaii 501” can bring the same magic to terrestrial television that he’s delivered on Sky Sports for over a decade.
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