The global darts community has been plunged into grief today following the death of former BDO World Champion Mark Webster, who has passed away at the age of 56 just 72 hours after publicly announcing he was battling an aggressive form of cancer.
Webster’s family confirmed the tragic news in a brief statement this morning. The popular Welsh left-hander, known affectionately as “The Spider,” had been admitted to a hospice in Cardiff late on Sunday after his condition deteriorated rapidly.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we confirm our beloved Mark passed away peacefully last night with his family by his side,” the statement read. “Just days ago, we shared news of his diagnosis, hoping for more time. The speed of his decline has shocked us all. We ask for privacy as we process this devastating loss.”
The announcement comes as a cruel shock to fans and fellow players, many of whom had only just begun to process the initial news of his illness. On Tuesday, Webster revealed he had been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, stating he was “facing the fight of my life.”
Tributes have poured in from across the sporting world. Five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld led the condolences, posting on social media: “I am broken. Mark was a true gentleman of the oche and a friend. To lose him so suddenly after such news is unthinkable. Rest in peace, champion.”
Webster’s career peaked in 2008 when he defeated Simon Whitlock in a thrilling final to claim the BDO World Darts Championship. He later transitioned to the PDC, where he reached the semi-finals of the 2010 World Championship and won two major titles, including the 2011 Players Championship Finals.
Beyond the trophies, Webster was celebrated as one of the sport’s most amiable and articulate figures, often working as a commentator and analyst after his playing days.
Former rival and close friend Wayne Mardle, fighting back tears in a live broadcast, said: “He wasn’t just a darts player; he was the kind of man who made everyone feel welcome. That he’s gone, so soon after telling us he was ill, just doesn’t seem real.”
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and British Darts Organisation (BDO) have announced that a minute’s silence will be held before all matches this weekend.
Mark Webster is survived by his wife, Jo, and two teenage children. Funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days.
