Sports fans, it’s the end of an era! Jacqui Oatley, a beloved voice in the world of sports broadcasting, has taken her bow from ITV after over a decade of incredible coverage. Known for her pioneering presence, Jacqui made history as the first female commentator on the BBC’s Match of the Day and continued to shine on ITV and Sky Sports. Her heartfelt farewell came after the Players Championship Finals, marking her exit from ITV’s celebrated darts coverage.
“Heading home for the last time from @ITVSport duty after an incredible decade,” she shared. Jacqui expressed her gratitude to her “brilliant production team” and reminisced about presenting at major tournaments like Euro 2016 and World Cup 2018 alongside her passion for darts. “Can’t express how grateful I am to have worked with such amazing people,” she wrote, highlighting the camaraderie and dedication behind the scenes.
Although she’ll be cheering from the sidelines now, Jacqui’s love for the game remains strong. “Back to football for me but I’ll still be going to the darts. With a pint in hand instead of a mic. Bye for now x,” she posted.
ITV isn’t hanging up its darts coverage completely, though! The action continues on ITV4 and ITVX, with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom taking the helm. Long-time colleague Stuart Pyke also bid farewell, celebrating a chapter filled with friendships and unforgettable matches.
It’s not just darts seeing changes. Ned Boulting, familiar to fans for his cycling and darts commentary, has wrapped up his tenure as well, ending a long-standing relationship with ITV. As the sporting landscape evolves, we wish Jacqui, Ned, and the entire ITV sports gang all the best in their next ventures! Here’s to the memories and more to come! 🎯⚽️