Iconic MC John McDonald and referee George Noble set to retire at upcoming PDC World Darts Championship

While the PDC World Darts Championship will usher in a new era when it comes to 128 players and £1million for the winner for the 2025/26 edition, it will start and end one also as John McDonald and George Noble will step down and retire after this year's Ally Pally it has been confirmed on Wednesday evening.

McDonald in particular is perhaps surprising with Noble long mooted on Dutch TV earlier this year and then reported widely. The Master of Ceremonies has worked full-time on PDC tournaments since succeeding Phil Jones in 2007. He previously worked on The Showdown and Premier League. But has become an instantly recognizable part of the PDC furniture.

In a previous life a member of the Parachute Regiment and a news photographer, he was a sports MC working in boxing including on Matchroom events who run darts. He has also covered snooker and pool in a career that has spanned three decades.

"I've spent two decades now working with the PDC and loved every moment, but the time is right for me to hang up my microphone," said McDonald.

"The Paddy Power World Darts Championship final will be the perfect place for me to end, as we celebrate the culmination of the biggest-ever event in the sport.

"I'm so proud to have been a part of the PDC's journey during my time as Master of Ceremonies, and I'll look forward to my remaining events on stage."

McDonald is joined by George Noble which like alluded to has long been mooted to retire at the end of this year. He confirmed his retirement earlier in the year but now it is confirmed that Ally Pally will be the end of his run. He is a beloved part of the refereeing team but after two decades officiating has also stepped down.

"I've had a brilliant career in over three decades and spent my whole life in the sport, but the time is right for me to retire from refereeing," said Noble.

"I'll still be involved in darts away from refereeing, but this will give me the chance to spend more time with my family in future.

"I'd like to thank the PDC for the opportunity which I was given back in 2007 - the sport has given me so many wonderful memories and opened up so many doors for me throughout my life."

With Russ Bray retiring last year, Paul Hinks also leaving the PDC ranks and now Noble, it is now the end of an era with newer faces like Huw Ware, Charlie Corstorphine and even Franz Engerer on the European Tour now likely to take a more centre role.