Darts legend Wayne Mardle has opened up about the devastating grief he continues to experience following the death of his wife, Donna, describing the ordeal as “absolutely brutal,” reports BritPanorama.
Donna passed away on December 11, 2024, after a short illness, aged 52. The couple had been married for 22 years.
In a candid video posted on TikTok, Mardle shared, “This is a first for me, I’m having one of those days. My wife Donna died on December 11, 2024, so about 430-odd days ago.” He challenged the conventional understanding of bereavement, explaining that grief does not progress through neat, predictable stages as commonly believed. “You go through phases, there’s a phase and then there’s another phase.”
He elaborated, saying, “Before you know it, that phase is returning so the stage or phase you think is going to pass, it doesn’t work that way.” Mardle has not returned to his wife’s graveside since Christmas Day, highlighting the emotional toll of each visit.
The former professional player urged others experiencing similar heartbreak to trust their instincts rather than conforming to external expectations. “However you’re feeling is how you’re feeling, don’t worry about it. Deal with it how you feel you want to deal with it, there’s no right or wrong here,” he advised.
Mardle’s grief has affected his professional commitments, leading him to take compassionate leave and miss the opening of the World Championship two years ago. Despite his own struggles, he expressed hope that sharing his experience might help others navigating similar pain, stating, “If I can help one person, I’m not even helping myself here, I don’t know what I’m doing, just do it how you want to do it.”
Sky Sports paid tribute to Donna following the World Championship final in January 2025, a gesture that was widely praised by darts supporters. Mardle’s reflections serve as a poignant reminder of the profound, unpredictable nature of grief, illustrating how personal loss intertwines with public life.
