Everything about World Darts Championship commentator Wayne Mardle
WAYNE MARDLE is a darts legend who now works as a commentator and pundit for Sky Sports – and is regarded as the voice of the sport on the channel.
Known for his Hawaiian shirts and energetic dance moves, Mardle has once again taken the microphone for the Premier League Darts, which kicked off last week.
Who is Wayne Mardle?
Wayne Elliot Mardle was born on May 10, 1973 in Dagenham, East London.
He is often called Hawaii 501 – a play on the TV series Hawaii Five-O – because he started wearing Hawaiian shirts after losing a bet.
His father taught him how to play darts from the age of eleven and he took to it like a fish to water, achieving his first 180 within two weeks.
Wayne won his first match at the Double Top pub on his 13th birthday.
He has had a long career in the sport he loves, first as a professional player, then as a commentator and pundit.
Mardle also works as a professional speaker at events and exhibitions and has founded the Wayne Mardle School of Darts for anyone looking to improve their game.
How long has Wayne Mardle been commentating on darts?
Wayne started commentating on the 2011 PDC World Darts Championship alongside Sid Waddell and Dave Clark – and also predicted the results of the tournament with Eric Bristow and Rod Harrington.
He has become a regular commentator and pundit for Sky Sports.
Mardle famously produced an iconic piece of commentary during the 2023 PDC World Finals as Michael Smith triumphed over Michael van Gerwen.
He could be heard shouting “I can't speak” after Van Gerwen narrowly missed a nine-darter and Smith hit one on his next visit.
What did Wayne Mardle do before he became a darts commentator?
Before bringing his expertise in the game to viewers of the sport as a pundit and commentator, Wayne was a professional player who reached the semi-finals of the World Championship on five occasions: four times with the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and once with the British Darts Organization. (BDO).
He also lost to Phil Taylor in three major finals: the 2003 World Matchplay and the Las Vegas Classic in both 2004 and 2005.
Wayne explained why he stopped playing Guardian in 2021: “I can honestly say that I was loaded with pressure, with tension.
“My head was swimming, my arm was tight, my hand was cold, my feet were freezing.
“I never want to be under that kind of pressure again. And you know what? I absolutely hated it.”
Is Wayne Mardle married and has children?
Wayne is married to Donna Mardle.
The couple likes to keep their private lives out of the public domain, so very little information is available about them.
But he did reveal that they have no children in a post on X, formerly Twitter, in 2018.
He posted a photo of his brown Labrador Sherlock, along with the words: “Donna and I don't have children, so our lives revolve around this animal.
“In two days I'll be home and kiss him everywhere. Who wouldn't want to kiss him!!! Look at him!!! What a sexy animal.”