Mark Webster’s absence from Sky’s coverage was addressed directly on air by presenter Emma Paton, who sent a heartfelt message to the popular pundit.
The darts broadcasting community has rallied around former world champion Mark Webster after it was confirmed that the Sky Sports pundit has stepped away from his duties due to a personal medical condition. The 42-year-old Welshman, who has become a familiar face covering Premier League Darts and major tournaments like the PDC World Championship since retiring from professional play in 2019, will take a short hiatus.
The news was confirmed ahead of Night Four of the 2026 Premier League in Belfast, with many viewers already having noticed Webster’s uncharacteristic absence from the coverage in recent weeks.
The Statement
A statement from MODUS Sports Management released on Wednesday evening 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 specific nature of his condition has not been publicly disclosed, and no timeframe has been given for his expected return. The darts community has responded with an outpouring of warm wishes, with fans quick to express their support across social media. “Hope he’s ok, him and Mardle are brill!!” one supporter wrote, while another added: “Be better soon Mark, commentary won’t be the same without you.”
Emma Paton’s On-Air Tribute
It was Sky Sports presenter Emma Paton who addressed Webster’s absence most publicly — and most movingly — during the Belfast broadcast. Fans watching Sky’s coverage of Thursday night’s Premier League Darts in Belfast were quick to notice Webster’s absence, but Paton took the time to update everyone on how the darts punditry legend was doing. Speaking during the evening’s coverage, she said: “You might have noticed the past couple of weeks that one of Jonny’s best friends and part of our family here at Sky Sports Darts, Mark Webster, has been absent. He is currently undergoing treatment and won’t be part of our coverage for a little while.”
She then followed up the update with a message directly to Webster, adding: “Webby, I know you’re watching, we love you very much and we will see you when you return.”
It was a moment that cut through the usual rhythm of a Premier League broadcast night — genuine, warm and entirely in keeping with the tight-knit community that surrounds the sport.
A Career Built on Resilience
Webster’s transition from player to pundit has been one of the most natural in darts broadcasting, his former-champion’s insight giving him a level of technical credibility that few can match. A former BDO World Champion, Webster lifted the Lakeside title in 2008 and later switched to the PDC, where he reached back-to-back World Championship semi-finals at Alexandra Palace in 2010 and 2011. The Welsh left-hander from Denbigh established himself as a consistent presence at the top end of the professional game before transitioning into broadcast work.
But his playing career ended not with a final flourish, but with one of the sport’s most challenging and least understood conditions. Webster retired from professional darts in 2019 after battling dartitis, which severely impacted his performance. He recalled a particularly difficult match against Daryl Gurney in the 2017 UK Open fourth round, where his struggles peaked, describing being in tears during a break in that match and telling Gurney he could no longer continue.
Last year, Webster spoke candidly about its lingering impact. “I’m really anxious playing darts now. So for example, if you wanted me to come to your local club and play in some players, I’m just not interested. I don’t want that sort of appearance anymore. I’ve probably fallen out of love with playing the game now, which is a shame. But it’s because of the dartitis — it lingered for ages. It brought me to tears after games because I thought, ‘This could be the end.'”
From that painful conclusion to his playing days, Webster rebuilt himself as one of the sport’s most respected voices — a process, by all accounts, that he embraced wholeheartedly.
A Familiar Absence in the Commentary Box
Webster is a key part of Sky Sports’ broadcasting line-up, covering major darts events like the World Championships and Premier League. He was also announced as part of ITV’s darts coverage, with the terrestrial broadcaster having the rights to the World Masters, the UK Open, the European Championship, the Players Championship Finals and the World Series of Darts events.
His absence will therefore be felt across a significant portion of the darts calendar in the weeks ahead, including this weekend’s UK Open at Butlin’s Minehead.
It is not the first time the Sky Sports darts broadcasting team has had to cope with a prominent figure stepping back for personal reasons. Webster’s punditry colleague Wayne Mardle took a break from broadcasting at the end of 2024 following the death of his wife Donna. The former world championship semi-finalist was absent from the tournament at Alexandra Palace while on compassionate leave, before making his return in February 2025.
Wishing Webby Well
The darts world is a small and deeply connected one, and the reaction to Webster’s news has reflected that. From fans to fellow professionals, the messages have been consistent — get well soon, and come back when you are ready.
Since stepping away from full-time competition, Webster has become a familiar voice on television, offering technical insight and measured analysis across the sport’s biggest stages. That voice, and the warmth he brings to the commentary box alongside it, will be greatly missed until his return.
For now, the thoughts of the entire darts community are with Mark Webster. As Emma Paton put it so simply and so sincerely on Thursday night: we love you very much, and we will see you when you return.
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