The darting broadcast landscape is about to welcome a fresh presence under the ITV lights, as Gabby Partington steps into the spotlight as the network’s new host. A changing of the guard, yes – but also the unfurling of a new chapter, one that carries the unmistakable hum of anticipation and reinvention.
Partington won’t have long to wait until making her maiden permanent voyage at the. Next week, she will front ITV’s coverage of the Bahrain Darts Masters, before the roadshow rolls onward into history with the inaugural Saudi Arabia Darts Masters. Two global stages. Two statement moments. And a presenter tasked with anchoring a sport that now straddles continents as confidently as it once filled British leisure centres.
A close confidant of Laura Woods, Partington arrives with far more than a friendly introduction to the big time. At 32, the Londoner has already built a quietly impressive CV across multiple sporting arenas. Darts, in particular, is familiar territory. She was part of the presenting ensemble during last season’s World Series events in New York and Poland, and those paying close attention at Alexandra Palace will also recognise her as a vital cog behind the scenes – warming up crowds, setting the tone and sharpening the atmosphere long before the first dart ever pierced the board.
Nor is her experience confined to tungsten alone. Partington has previously held hosting duties in snooker and golf, two sports with very different rhythms and demands – a testament to her adaptability and calm authority in front of the camera. That versatility will be invaluable as she takes over from Jacqui Oatley, whose tenure helped establish ITV’s darts coverage as polished, accessible and audience-friendly.
Joining Partington in this new-look setup will be former Lakeside World Champion Mark Webster, whose insight and lived experience at the sharp end of the sport provide the perfect counterbalance to her presenting style. It is a pairing that promises both substance and spectacle.
With Matchroom officially taking the reins from 2026, a degree of evolution was inevitable. New voices. New faces. A subtle recalibration of tone. And with Gabby Partington now at the helm, guiding ITV’s darts output into its next era, the message is clear: the sport is not standing still. It is moving forward – confidently, globally, and with a fresh energy ready to meet the moment.
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Images: T Lanning / PDC
