Within the darting fraternity, there are certain personalities whose absence leaves a palpable vacuum – figures whose warmth, humour, and effervescent presence become so interwoven with the fabric of the sport that when they suddenly vanish from weekly broadcasts, the silence feels strangely conspicuous. Mark Webster is unquestionably one of those people.
For months now, fans have noticed the absence of the former Lakeside World Champion from the commentary box. Now, speaking candidly, courageously and exclusively to DartsWorld – with Polly James of Sky Sports and Radio X, – Webster has opened up about the deeply personal health battle which has kept him away from the sport he so clearly adores.
And while the diagnosis itself sounds undeniably frightening, the Welshman delivered his story with the same grounded candour and understated resilience that made him such a respected figure both on and off the oche.
“Yeah, do you know what? I’m doing okay,” Webster explained to Polly. “I didn’t expect to be off work for this long, but yeah, I’m sort of trusting the process at the minute. I am doing little bits of work, but not what I’d like.”
For a man so accustomed to perpetual movement, relentless schedules, and constant interaction with colleagues and players, the abrupt stillness has proven difficult.
“I’m missing being involved on the weekly basis. Watching, obviously, it’s still enjoyable, but it’s not the same. And yeah, I hope I’ll be back soon, but yeah, I’ll find out more info in the next couple of weeks, I guess.”
It was then that Webster publicly revealed to Polly the full extent of what he has been battling behind the scenes.
“On January the 8th, I was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer called hairy cell leukaemia.”
The gravity of the that last word naturally carries immense emotional weight, yet Mark was keen to contextualise the situation with cautious optimism.
“It sounds bad when you say that leukaemia, but it is, you know what, it’s, it’s, it’s got good prognosis. 95% of cases are successful. I will put it into some sort of remission at some point, but just the recovery at the minute, it’s not going to plan in terms of the speed of it.”
The principal issue at present revolves around the St Asaph man’s white blood cell count, something which continues to significantly affect his immune system and, consequently, his ability to safely return to crowded darting venues.
“My white blood counts are still not recovering. So therefore my immune system’s not great at the minute, hence why I can’t go back to work. But look, it’s not the worst-case sort of scenario, but it’s just a bit frustrating for me at the minute, but yeah, I’m managing okay. I’m dealing with it all right.”
Frustration is a recurring undertone throughout the conversation. Not anger, nor self-pity – simply the exasperation of somebody whose natural habitat revolves around people, movement, and purpose. The Premier League evening in Newcastle over three months ago was the last time Webster worked professionally before treatment began to consume his calendar.
“The day to day thing is, is a bit frustrating. So I’m used to being busy,” he admitted. “I’ve got to trust the people that have been looking after me and they’ve been really good. I don’t always get the answers I want when I go in, but I’ve got to, I’ve got to trust them.”
That phrase – trust the process – surfaced repeatedly throughout the discussion, almost becoming a mantra during an extraordinarily unfamiliar chapter of his life. Webster explained how his treatment and recovery are now monitored continuously through weekly blood tests and monthly consultations with specialists.
“They are going up, but I need to come off those boosters and then they’ve got a hold and then hopefully I can return to work. But it’s just a case of trusting the process at the minute.”
Remarkably, despite everything happening internally, Webby says he largely feels well physically.
“But in myself, I feel fine. It’s just, and you know, I’d love to go back to work, but I’ve got to, they don’t like the environment that I go to work in.”
Mentally, meanwhile, the battle has centred largely around patience – something far easier prescribed than practised.
“It’s frustrating and I get like with anything, you just, you have days where you just think, oh, when am I going to go back? And it’s just a bit copy and paste from my days.”
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Even the simple freedoms most people take for granted have temporarily become luxuries requiring caution and restraint.
“Obviously the weather being nice, a bit of fresh air now is helping, but again, sort of those little releases, like on the weekend where you want to go with your mates to the pub or something, you’ve just got to be sensible.”
Throughout the ordeal, the popular Welshman has been buoyed by an exceptional support network. Sky Sports, sponsors, colleagues, and friends have all rallied around him during his enforced absence.
“I’ve seen, I said Sky have been really good with me. I’ve been able to go on the podcast with them bits. Paddy Power have been really good and sort of, I’ve been doing some videos for them and I got Winmau sent me some dartboard and some stuff as well.”
Naturally, Polly could not resist jokingly suggesting a playing comeback.
“No, let me elaborate,” Mark laughed. “It’s not been going great, but it’s something to do.”
There is a poignancy in hearing Webster discuss watching darts from home rather than from inside the arenas where he has spent so much of his adult life.
“I didn’t think it would be sort of, where are we now, week 13, I still wouldn’t be back,” he admitted.
And yet, even from his sofa, his connection to the sport remains undiminished.
“Weirdly, I feel like this is going to sound terrible. I pay attention to more when I’m at home, because when I’m at work, I’ll just go and wind up or chat with people and you just get your kind of glance on it.”
The conversation also ventured back to the earliest warning signs before his diagnosis – symptoms Webster initially dismissed as simple exhaustion.
“I was just really fatigued, and I was getting, I was getting very tired,” he explained. “I know our jobs, we have some down times, it lends itself to that lazy little nap in the afternoon, but I really needed it.”
Eventually, the persistent fatigue became impossible to ignore.
“I thought I’m just wasting my time when I’m tired. But obviously if you don’t feel right, go and get checked. Chances are it won’t be anything. But for me, it was just the constant fatigue and it was catching up with me.”
It is perhaps the most important message Webster delivers throughout the entire conversation (on DartsWorld’s YouTube Channel ) – one centred around awareness, vigilance, and acting early rather than simply hoping symptoms disappear.
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Despite the seriousness of the diagnosis, Webster’s trademark humour and grounded outlook remain gloriously intact throughout. At no point does the interview descend into melodrama. Instead, it becomes a portrait of resilience, perspective, and quiet determination.
“I think I’ve dealt with it pretty well,” he reflected. “And it’s kind of the best version of the leukaemia you can get.”
Still, what shines through most powerfully is just how much he misses being part of the weekly travelling darting circus alongside close friends and colleagues.
“We have that press group and we have a bit of a crack in there, but it was just more the, you take for granted when you leave a venue, you’re just going to see them the next week. I haven’t seen them for ages.”
For now, the hugely popular Webby remains in limbo – hopeful, improving gradually, yet understandably cautious about setting firm return dates after previous optimism proved premature.
“No, I’m not going to put a date in my mind because the date in my mind was Brighton and that was a few weeks ago.”
There is, however, unmistakable optimism woven into his words.
“So hopefully there’s another jump in my blood counts this week and then we can have some positive news from there.”
And when he does eventually return – whether in a commentary booth, on a podcast, or back amidst the chaos and camaraderie of the Premier League roadshow – it feels safe to say the darts world will welcome him back with immense affection.
Because beyond the titles, punditry, and broadcasting expertise, Mark Webster is one of darts’ genuinely beloved figures. And the sport has missed him enormously.
Everyone at DartsWorld extends their very best wishes to Mark and his family. We all wish him a speedy return.
——ENDS—–
Images: PDC
