Mark Webster steps back from darts broadcasting amid personal medical condition and asks for privacy
Mark Webster will take a short break from his broadcasting duties because of a personal medical condition, his management has confirmed, a development that removes a familiar voice from upcoming darts coverage and prompts calls for privacy as he focuses on his health.
Mark Webster: career, age and broadcasting move
Webster, a 42-year-old from Wales, enjoyed a professional playing career that spanned both the British Darts Organisation (BDO) and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). He is a former BDO world champion. Six years ago he moved into broadcasting and since then has worked for major television outlets, providing commentary and studio analysis.
MODUS Sports confirms short break and requests privacy
MODUS Sports Management, which works with a host of professional darts players, released a statement on behalf of Webster. The statement confirmed that Mark Webster will be taking a short break from his broadcasting duties due to a personal medical condition and asked that his privacy be respected at this time.
Webster on commentary and staying close to the sport
Webster has previously spoken about his enthusiasm for commentating. In 2022 he said he really enjoys commentating because it keeps him involved in the sport and allows him to see emerging talent. He reflected that while he was initially bitter about no longer playing, commentary let him remain part of the community and spend time with friends while watching the sport.
Colleagues and public imagery
Photographs accompanying recent coverage have shown Webster alongside fellow pundits Emma Paton and Wayne Mardle during broadcast coverage, underscoring his regular role in studio presentation and analysis prior to this break.
Contemporary context: Premier League night and Josh Rock
The item that confirmed Webster's absence also highlighted a separate match-night storyline. Josh Rock is preparing for a Belfast homecoming intended to kickstart his Premier League campaign tomorrow night. Rock has had a difficult start, losing his first three matches and sitting on zero points after three weeks. He said he is massively excited for Belfast, noting it is the Premier League night he looks forward to most; he observed there has not been a Northern Ireland representative in the Premier League since Daryl (Gurney) in 2020 and welcomed the chance to play on home turf with friends and family supporting him. Rock also suggested the local crowd may be hostile to his opponent Gian, but added that the best player on the night will win.
Audience engagement and site notices included in original coverage
The original item included a call to join on the publisher's Facebook page for sports headlines, along with a notice about cookies and data: it stated that information collected through cookies and other identifiers is used to improve experience, analyse site use and show personalised advertising, and that users can opt out of sale or sharing of their data. The notice added that preferences are browser specific and that use of the website and its services represents acceptance of the cookie practices and consent to the privacy notice and terms.
Details remain limited to what has been confirmed, and MODUS Sports Management has asked the public to respect Mark Webster's privacy while he steps back from broadcasting duties to address his personal medical condition.
