Who is Mark Webster and why is the Welsh former professional darts player & Sky Sports commentator known as The Spider?
MARK Webster is a former darts world champion who has taken to the mike as a commentator during his lengthy break from playing professionally.
Here we take a look at his life and careers as both player and pundit — and the meaning behind his creepy-crawly nickname “The Spider”.
Who is Mark Webster?
Mark Webster was born on August 12, 1983, in St Asaph, Wales.
He is a former professional darts player who currently works as a commentator and pundit.
Mark has enjoyed a successful career playing in both the British Darts Organisation (BDO) and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC).
In October 2022, he told Monarch Water — a company he represents as a brand ambassador — that he started playing darts at a relatively late age for a pro.
Leaving uni to play darts
His career began at the age of 18, when he started entering competitions while studying business administration at the University of Liverpool — but his success led him to leave the course in 2004.
He said: “I remember going to South Wales with my dad to darts competitions and receiving £700 prize money.
“When I started playing in tournaments abroad for ranking points, the prize money was considerably more.
“I broke into the top-level darts scene in 2006 when I won the European Cup.”
Learning a trade
Even though he was earning good money at the oche, Mark still wanted to learn a trade, so followed friends of his into the plumbing and heating industry.
He explained: “Tony Kelly, a one-man-band operation, took me on and organised my apprenticeship with Llandrillo College, where I studied one day a week for four years and gained my level two and three gas certificates.”
“Tony was a fantastic boss. He got me a job with a bigger company called GGS Heating and even managed to get me sponsorship to play darts.
“GGS gave me the freedom to have time off whenever I needed to play darts or even practice, which was a great help.”
At first I was a little bitter that I couldn’t play, but now I love it, being able to be with friends and watch the sport
Mark Webster
After breaking into the elite world top 16 players in 2011, Mark was selected to play in that year’s Premier League, leading him to reduce his plumbing commitments.
He said: “I was making decent money from playing darts, so I decided to leave GGS and focus on the game.
“Since then I have been working part-time as a plumber, which fits in around playing darts.
“After I had won the World Darts Championship, my first plumbing job when I got back was at a school.
“They wanted me to come in and meet the children and take photos, so I ended up plumbing and making a personal appearance.”
Darts record
Mark’s career really took off in 2006, winning the WDF Europe Cup and reaching the semi-finals of the Winmau World Masters.
His most significant achievement came in 2008 when he won the BDO World Championship, defeating Simon Whitlock 7-5 in the final.
This victory made him the third Welshman to win a World Championship in either organisation.
In 2009, Mark made the switch to the PDC, where he continued to compete at a high level.
He made an impressive run in the 2011 PDC World Darts Championship, reaching his second successive semi-final.
Mark achieved the remarkable feat of defeating the then 15-time — he went on to win one more — and defending world champion Phil Taylor in the quarter-finals, winning five sets to two.
In the semi-finals, he faced Adrian Lewis, ultimately losing 6-4 and continuing a trend of players who beat The Power going on to lose their next match.
The performance not only earned Mark £50,000, it also propelled him into the top 16 of the PDC rankings for the first time.
Commentary career
After announcing he was taking a break from from professional darts in January 2020, Mark seamlessly transitioned into a career as an analyst and commentator.
Working for broadcasters including Sky Sports and ITV, he provides expert insights and commentary at major darts events.
Mark is known for providing balanced and thoughtful analysis, often weighing in on player performances and tournament predictions.
He said: “I really enjoy commentating as it keeps me involved in the sport and I see some great talent coming through.
“At first I was a little bitter that I couldn’t play, but now I love it, being able to be with friends and watch the sport.”
He added: “However, I hope to be playing very soon.”
‘The Spider’
While there hasn’t been anything reported concretely confirming why Mark is known as “The Spider”, his other nickname ‘Webby” may provide a clue.
His surname is Webster, i.e. Webby, i.e The Spider.