Webster gives update after diagnosis as Premier League return nears | Other | Sport
Mark Webster has opened up on his health after being diagnosed with cancer (Image: Getty)
Former darts world champion and broadcaster Mark Webster has revealed that his health has “improved” and has been cleared to work at the Premier League on Thursday, just days after he confirmed his cancer diagnosis.
Webster, 42, announced last week that he has been diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer. The Welshman was diagnosed with hairy cell leukaemia in January and has admitted he is having chemotherapy.
“It sounds bad when you say leukaemia but…it’s got a good prognosis, 95% of cases are successful,” Webster said in an interview on Darts World’s YouTube channel. “I will be put into some sort of remission at some point but just the recovery at the minute is not going to plan in terms of the speed of it.”
Less than five days has passed since that interview was released and Webster has since posted another update and revealed that his condition has got better, with ‘The Spider’ set to return to work on Thursday.
In a post on X, Webster said: “I’m delighted to say that since this interview was filmed, things have improved. Although I’m still undergoing treatment, I have been cleared to return to Premier League duty on Thursday. Looking forward to being back amongst it. Thanks again for all of the love and support [red love heart emoji].”
Webster, who won the 2008 BDO World Championship, has been absent from television coverage since February but is due to be back as a pundit for Night 15 of the Premier League this week.
The St Asaph-born arrowsmith has been an integral figure on Sky Sports’ coverage of the darts for the last couple of years, after retiring from the sport on a professional level seven years ago.
Speaking on his desire to get back to work, Webster said last week: “In myself I feel fine and I would love to go back to work, but they (his medical team) don’t like the environment I work in. At the minute it’s a case of doing as I’m told and being patient. It’s frustrating because I like to be busy, but hopefully it won’t be too much longer.”
Mark Webster has been diagnosed with cancer (Image: Getty)
Hairy cell leukaemia is a rare type of chronic blood cancer that is most often found in middle-aged adults but the majority of people have normal life expectancy with treatment.
Before his diagnosis Webster said he felt “really fatigued” and “was getting very tired”. He had featured on Sky Sports’ coverage throughout the 2026 World Championship but hasn’t been seen on screen since Premier League Night 1 in February.
“My white blood counts are still not recovering, so therefore my immune system is not great at the minute, hence why I can’t go back to work,” he added. “It’s not the worst case sort of scenario, but it’s just a bit frustrating for me.
“I can work with people but just in sensible environments. The day-to-day thing is a bit frustrating because I’m used to being busy. I’ve got to trust the people that have been looking after me. They’ve been really good. I don’t always get the answers I want when I go in, but I’ve got to trust them.”
World No.1 Luke Littler is the current Premier League leader after the first 14 weeks of the season, with Jonny Clayton, Gerwyn Price and Luke Humphries making up the top four.
With just two nights of the regular campaign to go – in Birmingham and Sheffield – there is not long for players to cement their place in the top four ahead of Finals Night at London’s O2 Arena.
