“He went out on top, which felt absolutely fitting” – Huw Ware pays tribute to George Noble after legendary referee's final call during 2026 World Championship final

The 2026 World Championship final did more than decide darts’ biggest prize. It also closed the book on one of the sport’s most recognisable and influential figures, as George Noble stepped away from the oche for the final time. For those inside the referee team, the moment carried a weight that went far beyond the result on stage.

Among them was Huw Ware, who has spent the past decade sharing the biggest nights in darts alongside Noble. Speaking in London during the launch of Winmau’s new Blade X dartboard, Ware reflected on a farewell that felt both emotional and perfectly timed.

“He went out on top, which felt absolutely fitting,” Ware said in conversation with Online Darts, summing up a moment that marked the end of an era for the sport’s officiating.

Noble’s final appearance came on darts’ grandest stage, a World Championship final watched by millions around the world. For Ware, it was impossible not to reflect on the influence Noble had on an entire generation of referees.

“George was a huge inspiration for me growing up as a referee,” Ware said. “His voice, rhythm, authority, and timing were exceptional.”

Having shared the stage with him for the last ten years, Ware described it as a privilege to be present for that final walk away from the spotlight. “Sharing the stage with him for the last ten years has been an honour,” he added.

What stood out most for Ware was the manner of Noble’s exit. There was no sense of fading away or being pushed aside. Instead, Noble departed at the peak of his powers, in control of the moment, on the sport’s biggest night. “He went out on top, which felt absolutely fitting,” Ware repeated.

For decades, Noble’s voice, cadence and authority helped define televised darts. His presence brought consistency and gravitas to the sport as it grew into a global spectacle, and his final appearance underlined just how embedded he had become in darts culture.

Ware placed Noble alongside Russ Bray as figures who set the standard and chose the perfect moment to step aside. Both left with their reputations intact and their influence unquestioned, a path Ware hopes many officials would be fortunate enough to follow.

“When my time comes, I’d love for it to be the same,” Ware said, referencing the example set by those who exited at the top of their game.

Ware’s comments came during the Blade X launch, where the equipment itself was presented as a statement of intent, both visually and structurally. “A ten year extension just shows how strong the relationship is between the PDC and Winmau, and hopefully that continues for a long time yet,” Ware said of the partnership.

Standing beside the new board, he highlighted what immediately stands out to officials on stage. “The wires are so thin it’s almost like they aren’t there at all,” Ware said, describing why visibility matters for calling a match cleanly. He also underlined the practical side of the upgrade. “Durability is another key factor as well. A lot of work has gone into making sure it lasts,” he said.

Ware also framed the launch as something that will be felt beyond the elite game. “I think both amateur and professional players are going to get a lot of enjoyment from it,” he added.

Noble stepping away also sharpens the sense of transition among officials, with Ware acknowledging how quickly the landscape can shift. “It’s quite strange to suddenly feel like one of the senior ones,” he said, as the referee group enters a new phase.

Ware believes the biggest change is that refereeing is no longer something people simply drift into. “Young people are now growing up wanting to become darts referees, rather than just falling into it like many of us did,” he said. Ware also pointed to how different his own path was. “I was only 17 when I made my television debut and had no idea what I wanted to do with my life,” he said.

From Ware’s perspective, that new ambition is only going to lift standards across the sport. “The standard will only continue to rise, and that’s great for the game,” he said.