Ten years on: Sid Waddell remembered

Sid Waddell (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

Thursday marks ten years since legendary Sky Sports commentator Sid Waddell passed away.

Waddell was one of darts' most popular characters, with his unique style of commentary ideally suited to the action-packed sport he spent over four decades working within.

Waddell pioneered televised darts on the "Indoor League" programme, which began in 1972, and was a commentator on the BBC's early coverage of darts from 1978.

After joining Sky Sports in 1994, Waddell became known as "The Voice of Darts" and created a much-loved partnership with Dave Lanning and John Gwynne in the commentary box.

Alongside his darts career, he had commentated on nine-ball pool, written children's TV programmes "Jossy's Giants" and "Sloggers", was the author of 11 books and even made an appearance as the National Lottery's "Voice of the Balls".

He passed away on August 11 2012, a day after his 72nd birthday, having battled against bowel cancer for almost a year.

Waddell was inducted into the PDC Hall of Fame alongside Lanning in 2008, while his contribution to the sport was recognised further after he passed away with the creation of the Sid Waddell Trophy.

The Sid Waddell Trophy, designed and produced by jeweller Mike Shorer, is presented to the World Champion, and features an engraved silver globe - topped with a 20 carat cabochon garnet to symbolise the bullseye on a dartboard - sitting atop silver rods which rise from a base which bears the tournament's roll of honour and Sid's signature.

The trophy was unveiled by Sid's son Dan Waddell before the 2012/13 World Championship and was fittingly first won by Phil Taylor, who had a close relationship with the commentator throughout his career.