Darts commentator Alan Warriner-Little claims he has been ‘thrown in the gutter’ by ITV after 20 years, following the broadcaster’s unveiling of a new line-up.
The Professional Darts Corporation announced thre team to present coverage on ITV this year and Warriner replied with a scathing statement.
Warriner-Little wrote: ‘It would have be nice/professional after 20 years service with ITV to at least be told I have been thrown in the gutter. Good Luck to everyone. #VeryPoor I shall be from this point reviewing everything I do.’
He is a much-loved pundit but is one of the casualties of the changed team.
The 63-year-old recently underwent cardioversion surgery – a medical procedure that uses a controlled electrical shock to restore a normal heart rhythm.
Jacqui Oatley, who previously fronted the PDC coverage announced her exit from ITV after a decade of service last year and is another big name not to be involved.
Gabbie Partington (above) will be hosting the new coverage of the PDC darts on ITV
Alan Warriner-Little took to social media to hit out at ITV for ‘throwing him in the gutter’
ITV will stop producing their own PDC darts coverage this year, with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom company taking control of the broadcasting, although plenty of content will still be free-to-air on ITV4 and ITVX.
Sweeping changes have been made, with darts’ popularity at an all-time high and the broadcaster hoping to cash in on new viewers.
Pete Graves and Gabbie Partington will lead the new coverage as hosts.
Five-time World Championship semi-finalist Wayne Mardle, who is a fan favourite for his work on Sky, will be a pundit. Graves joins from Sky where he spent 17 years.
Chris Mason provides some continuity from the previous regime and Mark Webster will also be part of the line-up along with ex-Premier League champion Glen Durrant and Dan Dawson is another commentator.
They will be broadcasting games played by Luke Littler and Co from the World Masters, UK Open, World Series of Darts Finals, European Championship and Players Championship Finals.
Speaking last year after the new three-year deal was announced, PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter said: ‘We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with ITV, with the new deal set to take our partnership beyond 20 years.
A number of the former broadcasting team will not work on the 2026 coverage, including Warriner-Little (left), Jacqui Oatley (right) and Stuart Pyke (centre)
‘With more buzz around darts than ever before, we are pleased to be able to deliver free-to-air coverage of so many of our popular events to UK fans.’
Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport, added: ‘We are pleased to expand and extend our live darts coverage here at ITV Sport, as we look to keep the biggest events in professional darts free-to-air for the UK audience to enjoy.
‘We have a great relationship with the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and look forward to continuing our work with them into 2028.’
