The darts world, always buzzing with high-stakes action on the oche, recently added a lighter, more humorous note to its coverage during the UK Open at Minehead. Veteran pundit and former professional player Wayne Mardle found himself at the center of playful ribbing from colleagues and fans alike over what turned out to be a minor but noticeable fashion faux pas.
Mardle, 52, was part of the ITV broadcast team providing expert analysis as the tournament unfolded. The event itself delivered plenty of excitement, with world number one Luke Littler successfully defending his title in commanding fashion. The teenage sensation claimed back-to-back UK Open victories, defeating James Wade 11-7 in the final—a repeat matchup from the previous year’s showdown, where Littler had won more decisively by 11-2. Littler’s path to the crown included tough wins in the quarter-finals and semi-finals against Danny Noppert and Josh Rock respectively. In one memorable semi-final moment, fans watched in disbelief as one of Littler’s darts bizarrely popped out of the board during a checkout attempt, adding an extra layer of drama to his dominant run. The triumph earned the young star a substantial £120,000 prize cheque, further cementing his status as one of the sport’s brightest talents.
Amid the on-stage heroics and crowd energy, the broadcast team—including presenters and analysts—brought their usual polished presence to the screen. However, eagle-eyed viewers and social media users spotted something amiss in the group’s attire. While Mardle looked sharp in a grey jacket paired with black trousers, it was his footwear that stood out for the wrong reasons: he chose black trainers. In contrast, his male co-stars, such as presenter Pete Graves and pundit Glen Durrant, coordinated with white trainers, creating a unified look among the men. The sole female member of the team, Alexa Rendell, sported black leather boots, which fit her ensemble perfectly but highlighted the men’s apparent team dress code for the event.
The mismatch didn’t go unnoticed for long. A fan pointed it out on social media, prompting a light-hearted response from Graves himself. Seeing the funny side of the situation, he quipped in reply: “He’s let the side down there.” The comment, delivered in jest, captured the camaraderie within the broadcast crew and quickly spread among darts enthusiasts.
Fans joined in the banter, embracing the moment with good-natured humor. One observer noted that Mardle simply “has to be different,” while another playfully suggested that if he wasn’t going to conform to the white trainers, he might as well go all out with something bolder like “a leopard print skirt and black boots.” A third fan cheekily attributed the choice to Mardle “dressing his age,” adding to the chorus of teasing that kept the conversation lively online.
Despite the ribbing, the incident remained entirely harmless—a brief diversion in what was otherwise an intense and successful tournament for ITV’s darts coverage. The network did have to issue a separate apology during the broadcast for some unruly chants from the crowd directed at Prime Minister Keir Starmer, but the outfit mix-up stood out as a far more innocuous and entertaining highlight.
Mardle, a respected voice in darts commentary with years of experience both as a player and analyst, has long been known for his engaging personality and willingness to embrace the sport’s fun side. This small wardrobe oversight only added to his relatable charm, reminding everyone that even in the professional spotlight, a touch of individuality—or perhaps just forgetting the memo—can spark smiles amid the arrows and accolades. The UK Open once again proved why darts continues to captivate audiences: thrilling competition on the board and plenty of personality off it.
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