As the PDC World Darts Championship reaches its climax at Alexandra Palace, Luke Littler remains the holder of the Sid Waddell trophy, awarded to the winner of darts' most prestigious event. The victor on Friday night will not only claim a record £1 million prize but will also lift the trophy named after the beloved commentator known as the 'Voice of Darts'.
Sid Waddell began his darts commentary career in 1977 on BBC radio before moving to television in 1994 at the World Matchplay in Blackpool. He spent four years as the BBC's main darts broadcaster before joining Sky Sports, where he commentated for the next 17 years. In September 2011, Waddell was diagnosed with bowel cancer, yet he continued to work, including several Premier League events in 2012. He died on August 11, 2012; his final commentary was the 2012 Premier League final between Phil Taylor and Simon Whitlock on May 17.
In recognition of his immense contribution to darts, the PDC renamed the World Championship trophy the Sid Waddell Trophy in 2021. Speaking months before his death, Waddell reflected on his career, telling Sky Sports: 'I think I could go down as the man that saw the potential in darts, but it took me, because I'm a big head. You have to be a big head to play darts.' He described how he secured his BBC role, sending a note to the head of sport after executives doubted darts on television, and outlined his commentary philosophy: 'Never speak over the other bloke if you can. Never state the obvious. Make sure the viewer knows you're talking to him, rather than the bloke next to you, and shut up when you can, but when you get the chance go nuts. I did alright with that.'
