Veteran darts commentator Alan Warriner-Little has launched a scathing attack on ITV, accusing the broadcaster of discarding him “like rubbish” after two decades of service without any direct communication about his departure.
The 63-year-old former world number one and two-time World Championship semi-finalist claims he discovered he had been dropped from ITV’s coverage only when the channel publicly announced its revamped presenting team for the 2026 PDC season on Thursday, January 15.
“Thrown in the Gutter”
Taking to social media, Warriner-Little wrote: “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”.
The furious broadside came shortly after ITV unveiled a promotional video showcasing their new broadcasting lineup, which will cover major tournaments including the World Masters, UK Open, European Championship, World Series of Darts Finals, and Players Championship Finals.
Warriner-Little, nicknamed “The Iceman” during his playing days, claims he found out he was no longer required only when ITV publicly announced the fresh line-up on social media.
The New ITV Team
The refreshed lineup sees presenting duties handled by Pete Graves and Gabbie Partington, with punditry from Mark Webster and Wayne Mardle. Commentary will come from Dan Dawson, Mark Wilson, and Ian Danter, while former Premier League champion Glen Durrant will provide expert analysis.
Wayne Mardle, who has been a popular member of Sky Sports’ presentation team since 2011, will join former Premier League champion Glen Durrant, who joined Sky Sports in 2023.
Former PDC star Mark Webster, who has been a regular on ITV’s World Series coverage in recent years, will continue in a prominent role. Chris Mason, part of ITV’s punditry team since 2010, also remains.
Pete Graves expressed his delight at joining the team, revealing on social media that his first event would be the World Masters at the end of January 2026. Glen Durrant similarly shared his excitement, noting that the UK Open in Minehead would be a first for him in his new analytical role.
Warriner-Little’s Illustrious Career
Warriner-Little enjoyed a distinguished playing career that saw him reach the 1993 World Championship final, where he lost 3-6 to John Lowe. He also won the World Grand Prix and reached world number one.
Before transitioning into punditry and commentary, Warriner-Little worked across major tournaments including the UK Open, European Championship, World Series events, and the Players Championship Finals, operating as a knowledgeable pundit with clear insight into how top darters operate from his own time as the PDC world number one during his playing days.
Beyond his media work, Warriner-Little serves as chairman of the players’ union PDPA (Professional Darts Players Association), continuing to play an influential role in the sport’s governance.
Health Struggles
The popular pundit recently underwent cardioversion surgery to restore a normal heart rhythm, making the manner of his dismissal even more difficult to digest during what has been a challenging period.
Not the Only Casualty
Warriner-Little is not the only high-profile casualty of the overhaul. Jacqui Oatley, who fronted PDC coverage for a decade, announced her departure from ITV last year.
Oatley had been the face of ITV’s darts coverage since 2015, bringing professionalism and knowledge to the role. Her exit was announced in November 2025, before the broadcaster’s contract with the PDC expired at year’s end.
Warriner-Little’s post stands as the only public reaction so far from those not included in the new line-up. Beyond wishing “good luck to everyone,” he did not indicate what his next steps will be, other than saying he will now be “reviewing everything” he does going forward.
The Matchroom Takeover
The sweeping changes come as Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom company assumes control of ITV’s PDC darts broadcasting this year, marking a significant shift in how the sport is presented to viewers.
The PDC and Matchroom Media will now handle full production duties under a new three-year deal agreed in October 2025, which guarantees free-to-air darts on ITV until at least 2028.
Despite the production changes, substantial coverage will remain accessible free-to-air through ITV4 and ITVX.
The partnership between ITV and the PDC extends beyond two decades with this new agreement. PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter said at the time of the announcement: “We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with ITV, with the new deal set to take our partnership beyond 20 years.”
A Brutal Business
The sweeping changes come as darts enjoys unprecedented popularity, with the broadcaster seeking to attract new audiences.
The incident highlights the often brutal nature of broadcast reshuffles in modern sports media, where even long-serving figures can find themselves out of work with minimal communication or warning.
Neither ITV nor the PDC has commented publicly on individual departures, with the focus of their announcement centered entirely on the new broadcast team and upcoming events.
For Warriner-Little, a man who gave 20 years to ITV’s darts coverage while simultaneously serving as chairman of the players’ union and recovering from heart surgery, the manner of his exit represents a bitter end to what had been a long and productive relationship.
The Daily Mirror has approached ITV for comment regarding Warriner-Little’s allegations, though the broadcaster has yet to respond publicly to his claims of being discarded without proper communication.
As the new ITV darts era begins with the World Masters later this month, one of the familiar voices from the past two decades will be conspicuously absent—not through choice, but through what he perceives as a lack of basic professional courtesy.
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