Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld pay tribute to darts after dying of Wayne Mardle’s spouse Donna | Darts Information

Former world champions Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld have paid tribute to the household of Wayne Mardle, following the dying of his spouse Donna earlier than the World Darts Championship.

Donna Mardle died aged 52 earlier this week, following a brief sickness, with Sky Sports activities Darts saying her passing throughout protection of the opening day of this 12 months’s competitors at Alexandra Palace .

“Wayne is the center and soul of every thing we do right here at Sky Sports activities Darts, however the coronary heart of his world, his great spouse Donna, sadly handed away earlier this week after a brief sickness,” the presenter stated Emma Paton on the duvet.

“We’ll keep in mind Donna all through this match. Wayne, you might be in our ideas, you might be in our hearts, we love you very a lot and we are going to see you once more very quickly.”

The PDC launched a brief assertion following the information of his dying, saying: “All our ideas and condolences are with Wayne Mardle and his household, following the dying of his spouse Donna earlier this week.”

The darts world was fast to ship its condolences on social media, with gamers – previous and current – and followers sending effectively needs of help to Mardle and his household.

Taylor, a 16-time world champion, stated on X: “So unhappy to listen to of Donna Mardle’s passing. My ideas and prayers are with your entire household.”

5-time world champion Van Barneveld added: “Very shocked and saddened to study of the passing of Donna Mardle this night. Sending my condolences and ideas to @Wayne501Mardle and your loved ones.”

Former BDO world champion Stephen Bunting, who can also be on this 12 months’s line-up, stated: “My ideas, prayers and honest condolences exit to Wayne and his household on the unhappy lack of his spouse beloved and her finest pal Donna.”

Steve Beaton, who ended a run of 33 consecutive World Darts Championship appearances with out qualifying, stated: “Life is so brief. I like you mate.”