Wayne Mardle opens up on ‘absolutely brutal’ loss of wife shares in emotional video
Darts legend Wayne Mardle has opened up about the devastating grief he continues to experience following the death of his wife, Donna, describing the ordeal as “absolutely brutal.”
The 52-year-old Sky Sports commentator posted a candid video on TikTok earlier today, marking a departure from his usual golf and darts content.
Donna passed away on December 11, 2024, after a short illness, aged 52.
The couple had been married for 22 years.
Mardle said in the clip: “This is a first for me, I’m having one of those days. My wife Donna died on December 11, 2024, so about 430-odd days ago.”
Mardle challenged the conventional understanding of bereavement, explaining that grief does not progress through neat, predictable stages as commonly believed.
He said: “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.”
Darts legend Wayne Mardle has opened up about the devastating grief he continues to experience following the death of his wife Donna
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The former professional player urged others experiencing similar heartbreak to trust their own instincts rather than conforming to external expectations.
Mardle added: “However you’re feeling is how you’re feeling, don’t worry about it.
“Deal with it how you feel you want to deal with it, there’s no right or wrong here.”
Mardle revealed he has not returned to his wife’s graveside since Christmas Day, acknowledging that each visit leaves him emotionally defeated.
Wayne Mardle temporarily stepped away from broadcasting after the loss of his wife Donna
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PAHe explained: “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.”
The broadcaster emphasised that those questioning how someone grieves are misguided in their understanding of loss.
He said: “The people who question you are not your friends, they’re not your family, they have a perception of grief, it’s incorrect. Don’t overthink it, please don’t. I hope tomorrow is better than today.”
Wayne Mardle emphasised that those questioning how someone grieves are misguided in their understanding of loss
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GettyMardle’s grief has already affected his professional commitments, leading him to take compassionate leave and miss the opening of the World Championship two years ago.
Sky Sports paid tribute to Donna following the World Championship final in January 2025, a gesture that was widely praised by darts supporters.
Despite his own struggles, Mardle expressed hope that sharing his experience might help others navigating similar pain.
He said: “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.”
