Former World Championship semi-finalist Mardle will be absent from Sky Sports’ coverage for the near future
Sky Sports have announced that Donna Mardle, wife of darts pundit Wayne, died days before the start of the 2025 PDC World Championship.
Donna, who celebrated her 22nd wedding anniversary with Wayne in July and had beaten cancer in 2018, passed away after a short illness earlier this week.
Mardle, the sport’s leading commentator and a former World Championship semi-finalist, will be absent from Sky’s coverage for the near future.
Sixteen-time world champion Phil Taylor, who regularly played against Mardle, wrote on X: “So sad to hear of the passing of Donna Mardle thoughts and prayers go out to all the family.”
And in a statement the PDC said: “All our thoughts and condolences are with Wayne Mardle and his family, after the passing of his wife Donna earlier this week.”
Announcing the news before play on the first night of this year’s World Championship, host Emma Paton said: “If you’re a regular viewer of Sky Sports Darts, you will notice that Wayne isn’t with us this evening.
“Wayne is the heart and soul of everything we do at Sky Sports Darts. But the heart of his world, his wonderful wife Donna, sadly passed away earlier this week after a short illness.”
Luke Woodhouse, the world No 35 who takes on Lourence Illagan tomorrow, said: “Condolences to Wayne Mardle on this passing of his wife Donna ..thoughts are with you and your family”.