Much-loved sports broadcaster posts emotional statement as ITV axes commentators
Jacqui Oatley has announced that she has left ITV after working for the broadcaster for over a decade. Oatley is an extremely experienced commentator and presenter and has covered football and darts for the terrestrial giant.
The 50-year-old made history 18 years ago by becoming the first woman to commentate on BBC’s iconic programme Match of the Day. And she has continued to work for the BBC, as well as ITV and Sky Sports, over the intervening years.
But Oatley’s association with ITV now appears to be over following the conclusion of the Players Championship Finals. Oatley has worked on the channel’s free-to-air darts coverage for over 10 years, but confirmed on Monday that she would be leaving, having previously called the news “very sad”.
She posted on X: “Heading home for the final time from @ITVSport duty after a decade with a brilliant production team. First three years were presenting football, including Euro 2016, World Cup 2018, with darts, darts, darts throughout. Can’t express how grateful I am to have worked with such amazing people.
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“The producers, led by Phil Heslop, are incredible, the directors, spotters, pundits, commentators, crew behind the camera, sound guys, graphics team, Jonesy (who tells me off for being an inch off my standing spot) - everyone. Always smiling while working hard - most of all, they care about the output.
“Because that’s what it’s all about: the viewer’s experience. We hope our genuine enjoyment came across. Back to football for me now but I’ll still be going to the darts. With pint in hand instead of a mic. Bye for now x.”
ITV will continue to show darts on ITV4 and ITVX, but the coverage will now be run by Eddie Hearn’s company Matchroom. Over the weekend, fellow commentator Stuart Pyke wrote: “A sad day….after 17 years it’s the end of the road for ITV Sport on the [dart board emoji].
"The darts will continue on ITV but not with the brilliant team who it’s been a pleasure to work with….friends for life + hopefully going out with a bang at the Players Championship Finals.”
ITV have also parted company with experienced cycling and darts commentator Ned Boulting, who wrote on X on Sunday: “For a long time I have worked on the Tour de France and the PDC Darts for @ITVSport. Both those contracts have come to an end this year. Tonight is my last show. Thank you to all my colleagues over many years. It's been a long association with one channel and means a lot.”
ITV will continue to show tournaments including the European Championship Finals, Players Championship Finals and World Masters. Meanwhile, Sky Sports have confirmed a new five-year deal to show the World Championship, World Cup of Darts, Premier League and Grand Slam.
ITV director of sport Niall Sloane confirmed earlier this month: “We are pleased to expand and extend our live darts coverage here at ITV Sport, as we look to keep the biggest events in professional darts free-to-air for the UK audience to enjoy. We have a great relationship with the Professional Darts Corporation and look forward to continuing our work with them into 2028.”
PDC chief executive Matt Porter added: “We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with ITV, with the new deal set to take our partnership beyond 20 years. With more buzz around darts than ever before, we are pleased to be able to deliver free-to-air coverage of so many of our popular events to UK fans.”