Mark Webster steps down from darts coverage due to 'personal condition'

mark webster will take a short break from his broadcasting duties after MODUS Sports Management confirmed he is dealing with a personal medical condition, and the agency asked the public to respect his privacy.

Mark Webster steps back from broadcasting

MODUS Sports Management confirmed that Mark Webster, the 42-year-old former professional from Wales, is stepping back from punditry. 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. "

Broad career and commentating roots

Webster is a former professional who played in both the British Darts Organisation (BDO) and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). He moved into broadcasting six years ago and, since then, has worked for Sky Sports and ITV Sport, providing commentary and analysis from the studio. In 2022 he said: "I really enjoy commentating as it keeps me involved in the sport and I see some great talent coming through. At first I was a little bitter that I couldn’t play, but now I love it, being able to be with friends and watch the sport. "

Seen alongside fellow pundits during coverage

Photographs and coverage have shown Emma Paton, Wayne Mardle and Mark Webster together during Sky Sports broadcasts. The notice of Webster’s break followed that familiar studio presence, as fans and colleagues learned of the short pause in his broadcasting work.

Josh Rock's Belfast homecoming provides immediate context

Webster’s announcement came as Josh Rock prepares for a Belfast homecoming in the Premier League tomorrow night. The Northern Irishman has lost his first three matches and sits on zero points after three weeks. Rock said: "I’m massively excited. This is the one out of all the Premier League nights that I’m really looking forward to. We haven’t had anyone from Northern Ireland playing in the Premier League since Daryl (Gurney) in 2020, so it will be good to have somebody back on home turf. I don’t think there’s any added pressure. Hopefully I will enjoy it a little bit more because my friends and family will be there supporting me. It will probably be tough for Gian because I think the Belfast crowd will be against him, but I think he’ll still cope with it okay, so the best player on the night is going to win. "

Additional notice and site information included with the story

The original coverage included a call to action reading: "JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page. " It also carried a note encouraging readers to make the publisher a Preferred Source in Google Search settings to keep sport headlines at the top of search results. The report reminded readers that the site and its partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers to improve user experience, analyse usage and show personalised advertising, and it advised that users can opt out of the sale or sharing of their data by clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage; it added that preferences are browser specific and that using the site represents acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in the Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.

MODUS Sports Management’s confirmation frames the immediate outcome: mark webster will be away from broadcasting for a short period while he deals with a medical issue, and the organisation has asked for privacy. The next confirmed event in the schedule is Josh Rock’s Premier League night in Belfast tomorrow night.