Wayne Mardle took to social media to reflect on his return to the mic (Image: Getty)
issued a touching statement on social media after making his return to the punditry team for Thursday night’s opener.
The much-loved voice of darts had missed the recent after his wife Donna passed away just before the tournament got underway.
There wasn’t been a timescale put on Mardle’s absence from the microphone, with his return to the Sky Sports commentary box having been kept under wraps ahead of Thursday’s opener.
The former player was given an understated welcome back, with presenter Emma Paton introducing Mardle alongside Rod Studd for Luke Littler’s night one clash against Michael van Gerwen.
Mardle didn’t reference his time away from punditry during the match, with the ex-darts ace instead opting to focus on the playing action instead.
His first words came among a flurry of action at the oche, with Mardle saying: “Good evening – evening all, didn’t take him long [in response to Van Gerwen’s 180-hitting start]!”
It didn’t take Mardle long to settle back into his own groove either, with the 51-year-old appearing to enjoy himself during the 6-5 thriller, which Van Gerwen edged over the recently crowned champion of the world.
And commenting after the action had finished, Mardle spoke about his joy of having returned to commentary action.
Wayne Mardle returned to commentate on Luke Littler vs Michael van Gerwen (Image: Getty)
Taking to X/Twitter following the Littler vs Van Gerwen epic, Mardle posted: “I needed that! [red heart emoji]”
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