Former World Champion and Sky Sports pundit Mark Webster has been diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer called hairy cell leukemia. The diagnosis was confirmed on January 8th, and Webster has been absent from his broadcast duties since February 5th, when he last worked the Premier League in Newcastle. Speaking to Polly James for Darts World, Webster revealed that the cancer has a good prognosis, with around 95% of cases being successful, and he hopes to go into remission at some point.
Webster explained that his recovery has not gone to plan in terms of speed. His white blood cell counts are still not recovering properly, leaving his immune system compromised and preventing him from returning to work. 'I can work with people, but not really in the environments I usually work in,' he said. He has been undergoing blood tests every week and seeing his specialist roughly every four weeks. Although his counts have improved slightly after a setback, they are still being assisted by boosters, and he needs them to hold on their own before he can return to work.
The former BDO World Champion, who has become a fixture as a pundit on Sky Sports and ITV, admitted the enforced break has been frustrating. 'I’m missing being involved on a weekly basis. Watching is still enjoyable, but it’s not the same,' he said. He has been able to do some work from home, including the Sky Sports Love the Darts Podcast, and has been playing darts to pass the time, though he firmly ruled out any comeback. 'Let me elaborate: it hasn’t been going great! But it gives me something to do,' he joked.
Webster described how the diagnosis came about after he experienced constant fatigue and tiredness. 'I was just really fatigued and tired all the time. I went for blood tests and checks, then I had a bone marrow biopsy and a CT scan. That’s when they found the cancerous cells in my blood,' he said. He urged others to get checked if they don't feel right, noting that he had also experienced what he thought were allergic reactions for a couple of years, which have gradually gone away during treatment. He is not setting a date for his return but hopes for positive news soon, with another appointment coming up this week.
