Laura Woods’ friend becomes the new face of darts as long-serving host departs

There have been sweeping changes to TV coverage ahead of the 2026 darts season as a new presenter takes over

ITV’s darts coverage in 2026 will see a fresh face, as Gabbie Partington, a close friend of Laura Woods, takes over from popular presenter Jacqui Oatley. While Sky Sports broadcasts most of the sport’s major tournaments, such as the World Championship, ITV airs a selection of high-profile events, including the World Series, World Masters and UK Open.

The channel will remain the free-to-air broadcaster of darts in the UK, having secured a new deal with the PDC until 2028. However, starting this year, coverage of these tournaments will be produced in-house by Matchroom, the owner of the PDC.

This shift has resulted in several on-screen changes, including the introduction of new host Partington, who will be covering the upcoming World Series events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Partington is no newcomer to darts or the PDC, having presented ITV’s coverage of the World Series events in New York and Poland last year. She has often appeared on stage at major darts tournaments, like the World Championship and the World Matchplay, energising the crowd during ad breaks.

The versatile presenter, 32, has also covered golf and snooker and served as a matchday presenter for Wolverhampton Wanderers. In 2024, it was revealed that she had joined the presenting team of the World Snooker Tour (WST), another of Matchroom’s sporting entities.

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Partington is good friends with TNT Sports presenter Woods, who joined her for birthday festivities. Sharing a photo of them together on Instagram, Woods penned: “Happy birthday my little darling.”

Oatley had been the face of darts on ITV for over a decade when she announced her departure from the broadcaster at the end of last year.

Following her final event, the Players Championship Finals, she shared on social media: “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.

“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 a pint in hand instead of a mic. Bye for now x.”

Another regular on ITV, pundit Chris Mason, wrote ahead of the same tournament: “One more event to do with the current team before production is put in the safe hands of Matchroom.

“18 years is a long old time to spend with colleagues that have become friends. Darts of course will be staying on ITV Sport but it’s going feel and look very different.”