Wayne Mardle, renowned for his role as a commentator on Sky Sports and formerly celebrated as a top darts player, has candidly shared his emotional journey through grief following the death of his wife, Donna, in 2024. He expressed his feelings in a moving video on TikTok.

Donna passed away at the age of 52 after a brief illness. She and Wayne had shared 22 years of marriage. Mardle, who is now 52, opened up about his ongoing struggle with her loss.

“Usually, it’s a bit of golf and a bit of darts,” he reflected. “My wife, Donna, died on December 11, 2024, so it’s been about 430 days since. I used to count each day. Some might call it progress, but it doesn’t feel like it. It’s absolutely brutal. I’m sharing this because even though it’s so tough, I’m still here. All you can do is keep trying, right? Just keep trying.”

He continued, “Grief is supposedly a process with stages, but I’ve found it’s more like phases. You don’t just move on from one stage to another. Phases come and go, and sometimes they cycle back. The feelings you think will pass often linger.”

Mardle offered personal advice, saying, “Whatever you’re feeling is valid. Deal with it in the way that feels right for you. There isn’t a correct or incorrect way. I used to visit Donna’s grave every day. I haven’t been there since Christmas Day, and now it’s February 21. That’s just how it is for me right now.”

Wayne Mardle shared a video on TikTok to help others like himself, who are grieving 

Mardle’s wife Donna (left) died after suffering with a short illness back in 2024

‘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 everyday 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.’

Mardle’s voice has become synonymous with darts, especially over the festive period when the World Championship takes over the screen. 

He missed the start of the biggest tournament in the sport two years ago in the weeks following Donna’s death, returning this year for commentary duty. 

When the news of Donna’s passing was announced on the live broadcast at the time, it was clearly emotionally affecting the broadcast team.

A tearful presenter, Emma Paton, said: ‘Wayne is the heart and soul of everything we do here at Sky Sports darts, but the heart of his world, his wonderful wife Donna, sadly passed away earlier this week after a short illness.’ 

Sky Sports shared the above tribute on their coverage when Donna died in December 2024

‘We will be remembering Donna throughout this tournament. Wayne, you are in our thoughts, in our hearts, we love you very much and we will see you very soon.’

Mardle is often remembered for commentary of the sport’s greatest leg, two years ago, when Michael Smith hit a nine-dart finish in the final against Michael van Gerwen, who missed a double 12 on his own attempt at perfection.

Mardle exclaimed: ‘One man misses, does the other man get? I have never seen the like. 

‘Come on Bully Boy. Yes! Double 12…That is the most amazing leg of darts you will ever see in your life. I can’t speak, I can’t speak.’