Veteran sports presenter Jacqui Oatley has confirmed her departure from ITV Sport, marking the end of a ten-year tenure with the broadcaster.
The 50-year-old's exit comes as part of a significant restructuring of ITV's darts coverage, with the channel ceasing its in-house production of Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events next year.
A Decade of Service Comes to an End
Oatley shared the news of her departure in a heartfelt post on X, formerly known as Twitter. She reflected on her decade with ITV Sport, which began with three years presenting football, including major tournaments like Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup.
Her role later became dominated by darts, a sport she became synonymous with for ITV viewers. In her post, she expressed immense gratitude towards the brilliant production team, specifically naming producer Phil Heslop, directors, spundits, commentators, and the entire crew.
'Always smiling while working hard - most of all, they care about the output,' Oatley wrote. 'Because that’s what it’s all about: the viewer’s experience.'
Broadcasting Shake-Up: The Move to Matchroom
The catalyst for this change is ITV's decision to stop producing its own PDC darts coverage. From next year, production will be handled by Eddie Hearn's Matchroom company.
Despite this shift, fans will not be completely locked out. A spokesperson confirmed that key tournaments will continue to be available on free-to-air platforms. This includes:
- The European Championship Finals
- The Players Championship Finals
- The World Masters
These events will air on ITV4 and the ITVX streaming service, ensuring the sport remains accessible to a wide audience.
What's Next for Oatley and Darts Broadcasting?
Oatley's statement made it clear that her future lies away from ITV's darts coverage. She confirmed she will be returning to football and will attend future darts events 'with pint in hand instead of a mic.'
No official announcements have been made regarding who will front the new Matchroom-produced coverage on ITV. In a separate development for the sport, Sky Sports has renewed its exclusive deal for other major PDC tournaments, including the World Championship and the Premier League, for another five years.
This marks a significant moment for sports broadcasting in the UK, as one of its most recognised voices moves on to new challenges.
