Darts icon Wayne Mardle bravely opens up on ‘brutal’ grief after spouse’s demise
Darts icon Wayne Mardle has shared an emotional video on social media in which he bravely opened up about the ‘brutal’ grief he feels after the death of his wife Donna
Wayne Mardle has opened up on the brutal ‘grief’ after the death of his wife(Image: BSR Agency, Getty Images)
The darting world has rallied around Wayne Mardle after the Sky Sports host bravely opened up about the ‘brutal’ grief he feels following the death of his wife Donna.
Wardle confirmed he’ll feature in Sky Sports’ coverage of the Premier League Darts on Thursday evening following fan worries about his wellbeing as the beloved darts commentator posted a courageous and touching video on social media, revealing the ‘brutal’ loss of his wife.
Donna Mardle tragically died in 2024 at the age of 52 after a brief battle with illness, with the couple having been wed for 22 years when she passed away. In a moving video uploaded to TikTok, Wayne told supporters how he was still grappling with the grief of losing his partner.
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Mardle said: “This is a first for me, I’m having one of those days. This is the first of another genre of TikTok for me, I think you may even call it ‘GriefTok’ nowadays. Normally it is a bit of golf and a bit of darts. My wife Donna died on December 11, 2024, so about 430 odd days ago, I used to count the days, call that progress, call it what you like.
“It doesn’t feel like progress, it is absolutely brutal. The reason I’m doing this is, whilst it is brutal, I am still here and all you can do is keep trying, right, keep trying.”
He went on: “It is a process, so I’m told and you go through stages. You don’t go through stages. You go through phases, there’s a phase and then there’s another phase. Before you know it that phase is returning so the stage or phase you think is going to pass, it doesn’t work that way.
Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings.
“So however you’re feeling is how you’re feeling, don’t worry about it and when I say that I literally mean deal with it how you feel you want to deal with it, there’s no right or wrong here. I used to literally go every day to Donna’s graveside. I haven’t been there for the past… well, since Christmas Day and it is now February 21.
“I don’t feel guilty, I just feel like I can’t do it because it beats me, beats me every time I go over there, you have a millisecond off of forgetting, right, that’s about it.
“But I just want to tell you all, that those who are going through similar, don’t overthink it, don’t double bluff yourself, just get on with it how you think is right and the people who question you are not your friends, they’re not your family, they have a perception of grief, it’s incorrect.
“It’s just brutal, it really is brutal but all I’m saying to all of you is, if I can help one person, I’m not even helping myself here, I don’t know what I’m doing, just do it how you want to do it, don’t overthink it, please don’t. I hope tomorrow is better than today.”
Supporters expressed concern for Mardle following his heartfelt post, with numerous well-wishers offering their support. Aston Villa defender Matty Cash was amongst those who left comments, writing: “Legend mate, stay strong x.”
One user wrote: “We’re all with you, the best commentator in darts,” whilst another commented: “What a guy, to be this vulnerable, we love you Wayne, you are not alone, no one will ever replace Donna, but a lot of people love you.”
The three-time PDC majors runner-up later responded on X, confirming his involvement in Sky Sports’ commentary team for this week’s Premier League Darts in Belfast. The 52-year-old wrote: “I’ve had a many messages and texts over the last hour or so. I’m ok. I assure you, you’ll hear me spouting absolute tripe as usual on Thursday at the Premier League. Loves!”.
