ITV axe darts commentator without telling him as icon ‘thrown in the gutter’ | Other | Sport

Darts commentator Alan Warriner-Little has launched a scathing attack on ITV, accusing them of axing him without even informing him of their decision. The former World Grand Prix champion has built a successful career in broadcasting, having been part of the ITV team for the last two decades. He is also the president of the Professional Darts Players Association (PDPA).

Warriner-Little has been a staple of ITV’s darts coverage in recent years and is a favourite pundit of many viewers. However, he appears to have been quietly axed following the network’s line-up announcement for 2026. The likes of Wayne Mardle, Mark Wilson and Glen Durrant were all included but Warriner-Little was nowhere to be seen.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) after the announcement was made, he accused ITV bosses of sacking him without notice and suggested their conduct was unprofessional.

He 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.”

That is despite Warriner-Little appearing to suggest that he was leaving ITV at the end of last year, posting in November: “Thanks for 18 years of fun @ITVSport in a sport I love.  Tough day when you know it’s your last but what a show to bow down with.”

Pete Graves and Gabbie Partington will be on presenting duties in ITV’s new-look broadcast team, which will feature expert analysis from Chris Mason in addition to Mardle, Webster and Durrant.

Commentary of live matches will be provided by Mark Wilson and Dan Dawson, starting with the upcoming Bahrain Darts Masters.

Taylor had already been banned from all Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events and made to forfeit £25,000 in prize money after testing positive for cocaine and cannabis.

A hearing in front of a discplinary committee established that Taylor’s drug use took place before the start of the tournament at Alexandra Palace.

However, because it was his second offence, he was hit with a mandatory six-month ban under DRA rules. He has also been stripped of his Tour Card, with that decision being made earlier this month.