Sky Sports darts presenter Emma Paton has addressed the notable absence of pundit Mark Webster from the broadcaster’s coverage, after it was confirmed the former world champion is taking a break from broadcasting due to a personal medical condition.
The 42-year-old Welshman, known affectionately as “The Spider” during his playing days, has become one of the most recognisable voices in darts broadcasting since hanging up his arrows in 2019. A regular fixture alongside Paton and fellow analyst Wayne Mardle on Sky Sports’ Premier League Darts coverage, Webster’s absence has been felt by fans who have grown accustomed to his sharp, insightful analysis throughout the season.
His management company, MODUS Sports, confirmed in a statement that Webster would be taking a short break from his broadcasting duties, citing a personal medical condition. The statement read: “On behalf of Mark Webster, MODUS Sports Management can confirm that Mark will be taking a short break from his broadcasting duties, due to a personal medical condition. We please ask that you respect Mark’s privacy at this time.” The nature of the condition has not been publicly disclosed.
Paton, who has been the face of Sky Sports darts coverage since 2020 and hosted the Premier League Darts coverage with Webster as a close broadcast colleague, addressed the pundit’s absence on-air. The two have a well-established on-screen chemistry built over years of working together across the Premier League circuit and the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.
Webster’s absence also affects ITV’s darts coverage, where he had been lined up to work. He was announced as part of ITV’s new darts broadcasting lineup, which holds rights to the World Series, the World Masters, the UK Open, the World Series of Darts Finals, the European Championship, and the Players Championship Finals — meaning he will miss the UK Open next weekend as well.
The news comes during a busy stretch of the darts calendar, with the 2026 Premier League Darts season in full swing every Thursday on Sky Sports. Webster had become a mainstay as both commentator and studio analyst for Sky Sports, covering the Premier League Darts and the World Darts Championship among other major events.
Paton has previously spoken warmly about her working relationship with Webster. In a blog written for Red Dragon Darts, she noted that “Mark Webster and I always say to each other we won’t know what to do when it all ends, and we’ll miss being with our Sky family every Thursday,” highlighting the close bond the two have developed across multiple Premier League campaigns.
Fans have flooded social media with messages of support for Webster following the announcement. Responses poured in from the darts community, with supporters writing messages such as “Be better soon Mark, commentary won’t be the same without you.”
Webster is not the only member of the Sky Sports darts team to have stepped away for personal reasons in recent years. Wayne Mardle took a break from broadcasting at the end of 2024 following the death of his wife Donna, before making his return in February 2025.
Webster ended his professional playing career in 2019 after a long and painful battle with dartitis — a condition which affects a player’s ability to release the dart — before finding a new passion in broadcasting. He won the BDO World Championship in 2008 and reached the PDC World Championship semi-finals on two occasions, establishing himself as one of the sport’s most respected figures both on and off the stage.
The darts world now unites in wishing Webster a swift and full recovery. With the Premier League in full flow and major events approaching, his colleagues, fans, and the wider darts family will be hoping to see “The Spider” back in the commentary box as soon as possible.
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