Two darts icons to retire after World Championship as PDC 'enormously grateful'

Two icons of darts, PDC Master of Ceremonies John McDonald and distinguished referee George Noble, have confirmed they will retire from the sport after the upcoming World Championship. The PDC have announced that 'an era will end' at the end of the 2025/26 World Champs when the duo walk away. McDonald has worked on PDC tournaments full-time since 2007 while Noble has spent nearly two decades officiating on the PDC circuit.

McDonald's voice is one of the most recognisable aspects of a PDC event. He introduces players to the stage before their walk-on songs and the 65-year-old said: "I've spent two decades now working with the PDC and loved every moment, but the time is right for me to hang up my microphone.

"The Paddy Power World Darts Championship final will be the perfect place for me to end, as we celebrate the culmination of the biggest-ever event in the sport.

"I'm so proud to have been a part of the PDC's journey during my time as Master of Ceremonies, and I'll look forward to my remaining events on stage."

The highly experienced Noble will also step down after working 20 World Championships and told the PDC: "I’ve had a brilliant career in over three decades and spent my whole life in the sport, but the time is right for me to retire from refereeing.

"I'll still be involved in darts away from refereeing, but this will give me the chance to spend more time with my family in future. I'd like to thank the PDC for the opportunity which I was given back in 2007 - the sport has given me so many wonderful memories and opened up so many doors for me throughout my life."

PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter thanked the pair and insisted that the organisation are thankful for their contributions: "John and George have been two huge pieces in the PDC jigsaw over the last 20 years.

"John’s iconic voice and delivery, and George’s faultless refereeing have made them an integral part of our events all around the world and they are popular figures wherever we have taken events.

"We are grateful to them enormously for their contributions, not just to the PDC but to darts in general, and we wish them every success and happiness for the future – they leave as our friends with sincere thanks and best wishes."

The 20-day World Championship will start on December 11 and conclude on January 3 at Ally Pally. An expanded 128-player field will fight it out for supremacy and a £1million cheque in north London.

Reigning world champion Luke Littler will be the favourite to win the title but he will face strong competition from world No.1 Luke Humphries, the 2024 victor, with 2021 champion Gerwyn Price another hopeful of winning darts' biggest prize once again.