Key Highlights
- Gabbie Partington takes over as presenter for ITV’s darts coverage.
- Partington is a close friend of Laura Woods and has previously presented ITV’s World Series events.
- The change comes with the production being handled internally by Matchroom, the PDC owner.
- Jacqui Oatley, who had been presenting for over 10 years, left the channel at the end of last year.
New Presenter on ITV’s Darts Coverage: Gabbie Partington
ITV is set to shake up its darts coverage with the introduction of a new presenter, Gabbie Partington. Known for her close friendship with Laura Woods and previous experience in presenting ITV’s World Series events, Partington will be at the forefront of bringing the action of major tournaments to viewers.
Transitioning from Matchroom to ITV
The move comes as Matchroom, the owner of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), takes over production for several high-profile darts events. This internal shift has prompted changes in on-screen personnel, with Partington joining the ranks at a pivotal time.
A Familiar Face
Partington is not new to the world of sports broadcasting. The 32-year-old has covered various sports, including golf and snooker, and served as a matchday presenter for Wolverhampton Wanderers. Her experience extends beyond football; she was part of ITV’s World Snooker Tour team in 2024.
A Close Bond with Laura Woods
One of the most notable aspects of Partington’s career is her close relationship with fellow darts presenter Laura Woods. The pair have been seen together at various events and social gatherings, such as Woods’ birthday bash. “Happy birthday my little darling,” wrote Woods on Instagram, highlighting their strong friendship.
End of an Era for Jacqui Oatley
Jacqui Oatley, who had been the face of darts coverage on ITV for over a decade, has left the channel. In her final post, she expressed gratitude to her colleagues and highlighted the importance of delivering a quality viewer experience: “Because that’s what it’s all about: the viewer’s experience. We hope our genuine enjoyment came across.”
Oatley’s departure marks the end of an era, with Oatley thanking her team for their support over 10 years of work together.
Future of Darts on ITV
The changes bring a new look to darts coverage on ITV. With Partington and Matchroom’s internal production taking the lead, viewers can expect fresh faces and perspectives as they follow major tournaments like the World Series events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
“One more event to do with the current team before production is put in the safe hands of Matchroom,” wrote Chris Mason, a fellow ITV pundit. This shift signifies not just a change in presentation but also a broader transition in how darts coverage is handled on free-to-air TV.
