WAYNE'S WORLD
Luke Littler shows true colours with message to darts icon Wayne Mardle after making return to Sky Sports coverage
The 51-year-old commentator had not been on air since mid-December
DARTS world champion Luke Littler has congratulated Wayne Mardle on his return to the commentary box.
Mardle, 51, was back on the mic on Thursday for the first time since the death of his wife Donna.
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The popular Sky Sports commentator called the shots for Littler's Premier League opener with Michael van Gerwen.
Mardle's return was not previously announced by the broadcaster.
And fans were delighted to see "the GOAT" back in the booth following more than a month away.
Donna, 52, passed away shortly before the PDC World Championships in December after a short illness.
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Littler would go on to lift the trophy at Ally Pally.
He was among the first in the darts community to welcome Mardle back to comms on Thursday night.
Littler wrote on X alongside a heart emoji: "Great to have you back @Wayne501Mardle."
Mardle completed another stint on commentary for MVG's semi-final with Luke Humphries.
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He later took to social media after the season-opener in Belfast.
An emotional Mardle simply wrote: "I needed that".
Michael van Gerwen pays tearful tribute to darts legend Wayne Mardle's wife Donna after tragic death aged 52
On stage, it was a disappointing night for defending champion Littler.
The Nuke was beaten 6-5 in a quarter-final thriller with three-time world champ van Gerwen.
Littler averaged an outrageous 113.91 but was edged out by the Dutchman in a rematch of their world final from last month.
Before the contest, Mighty Mike had called out the teenager for being late to a Premier League promotional event.
MVG told reporters: "They need to stop treating him like a baby.
"He's not a baby anymore, he's 18 years old now.
Premier League Darts 2025: Dates and venues
Night 1 - Belfast: Humphries beat Dobey 6-1
Night 2 - OVO Hydro, Glasgow - Thursday February 13
Night 3 - 3Arena, Dublin - Thursday February 20
Night 4 - Westpoint Exeter - Thursday February 27
Night 5 - The Brighton Centre - Thursday March 6
Night 6 - Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham - Thursday March 13
Night 7 - Utilita Arena, Cardiff - Thursday March 20
Night 8 - Utilita Arena, Newcastle - Thursday March 27
Night 9 - Uber Arena, Berlin - Thursday April 3
Night 10 - AO Arena, Manchester - Thursday April 10
Night 11 - Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam - Thursday April 17
Night 12 - M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool - Thursday April 24
Night 13 - Utilita Arena, Birmingham, Thursday May 1
Night 14 - First Direct Arena, Leeds - Thursday May 8
Night 15 - P&J Live, Aberdeen - Thursday May 15
Night 16 - Utilita Arena, Sheffield - Thursday May 22
Play-Offs - The O2, London - Thursday May 29
"It happens. He has to learn. You have to learn the hard way.
"It's a professional sport so you have to be responsible for your actions. Simple as that."
Responding to van Gerwen's comments, Littler told Sky: "I always let my darts do the talking.
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"But he [Van Gerwen] is not wrong. I was late.
"I'm 18 now and I'm responsible for my actions and I did get a little telling off."
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