PATON APPLAUDS ITV’S MATCHROOM DARTS COVERAGE

EMMA PATON joked she was jealous of ITV’s brilliant Matchroom-led revamp after watching the new-look production shine. 

The 31-year-old has spearheaded Sky Sports’ darts coverage since 2022, taking over from Laura Woods and firmly establishing herself as the face of the broadcaster’s arrows output. 

Pete Graves fronted the ITV presentation for the Winmau World Masters, with former pros Wayne Mardle, Mark Webster, and Chris Mason providing expert analysis from the stage. 

Polly James gathers player interviews backstage, with Dan Dawson previewing matches and Marc Wilson on commentary.

Paton confessed she was watching thinking “that’s my team,” but insisted the shake-up was a huge success. 

She told the Weekly Dartscast: “I thought it was brilliant. I thought there was definitely a sort of fresh feel. 

“I think they delivered a really good product. I like the different presenting positions. Of course, I love the personnel. 

“I’ve known Pete [Graves] for a long time and he’s probably been presenting Sky a lot longer, maybe double the time.

“So, I always knew that was going to be a good move and a really sort of solid and safe pair of hands. 

“I also knew he’d really enjoy it once he got started, because I think he probably didn’t really know what to expect. I think he might become a new cast.

“I think we all knew as well putting Wayne [Mardle] and [Chris] Mason together, it was always going to work, wasn’t it? They’ve got different views on things.

“Then throw in [Mark] Webby and Dan [Dawson], who are just incredible at what they do.

“I was jealous in many ways, thinking, ‘Oh, there’s my team,’ but I absolutely love watching them and just cheering them on and being a fan for a few days.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.