04 January 2024 , 16:59
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Sky Sports' Wayne Mardle has hit back at Dan Walker after the former BBC presenter suggested the World Darts Championship final should have been on terrestrial TV.
An impressive peak audience of 3.71 million tuned in on Sky Sports to watch Luke Humphries beat Luke Littler 7-4 in a barnstorming affair as 'Cool Hand Luke' secured his first-ever Ally Pally title. It's a 143 per cent increase on last year's final between Michael Smith and Michael van Gerwen and makes the event the largest non-football audience for a single event in the broadcaster's history.
Humphries began the match in spectacular fashion and won the first set to put Littler under pressure. However, the teenage sensation found his mojo to draw level. Humphries went back in front, before Littler won the next three sets to storm into a 4-2 lead.
With the seventh set tied at two apiece, Littler missed a crucial dart at double two to go 5-2 up and Humphries punished his teenage opponent by winning that set and the next four to run away with victory.
It was an enthralling match-up, and speaking during the final, ex-BBC chief Walker tweeted: "Loving the coverage but sport like this should really be on terrestrial telly #WorldDartsChampionship."
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Former world semi-finalist Mardle, who co-commentated for Sky Sports on the final, fired a message back at Walker on Thursday. He said: "Dan, terrestrial tv didn’t want to know when darts needed it. Sky Sports stood alone when taking darts on."
Moments later, Mardle then decided to fire another dig at Walker, suggesting that he didn't watch the first round of the tournament. He said: "Did you enjoy the Mario Vandenbogaerde v Thibault Tricole match in the first round, Dan?"
Humphries ended up coming out on top against 16-year-old sensation Littler, who beat Christian Kist, Andrew Gilding, Matt Campbell, Raymond van Barneveld, Brendan Dolan and Rob Cross en route to the final.
Speaking after the match, world No.1 Humphries heaped praise on Littler, who moved from 164th and into the top 32 of the rankings. Humphries said: "Luke showed incredible grit, incredible determination.
(Getty Images)"We will never, ever see the likes of him again. To go up on that stage in a world final and produce those darts. I was putting him under so much pressure. I love the kid to bits and I hope that he's in the Premier League and plays in everything because I would love the share the stage with him a lot more.
"I've just achieved something that is a dream for darts player, so I'm really, really pleased. Obviously the crowd wanted Luke to win and I couldn't begrudge them that because it would have been a fantastic story had he won the tournament. What an incredible story would that have been for our sport."