Darts: Waddell's absence is sorely felt

Sid Waddell’s absence is sorely felt at the PDC World Darts Championship (Getty Images)

This is the first World Darts Championship since commentator Sid Waddell passed away. Rod Harrington, who also commentates on Sky Sports, told The Independent how Waddell was missed.

As a mark of respect, this year's champion will receive a new piece of silverware, The Sid Waddell Trophy. "I think the tournament has been a great tribute to Sid," said Harrington. "The standard, the way the games have gone. And I think it's been a great tribute to him, to have this trophy named after him.

"There has been something missing. You know Sid, the razzamatazz, the zany comments he came out with. None of us can come out with them, we're not intelligent enough, to be honest.

"The last two nights, he would have been hanging off the ceiling of the commentary box. He used to get extremely excited. We had seen him be sick before he went on air because he used to get so nervous and so wound up about how he wanted to do such a great job and be perfect.

"I haven't got a clue how he would have described Michael van Gerwen but he would have absolutely loved it. He would have screamed down the mic."