After calling time on his presenting career to focus on his ongoing battle with Parkinson's disease in July 2020, the former face of
Sky Sports Darts,
Dave Clark has admitted he struggles to watch coverage anymore, going so far as to say "it's like watching your wife smooch another man."
Joining Sky Sports in 1998, Clark enjoyed a lengthy and successful career as the much-loved face of the channel's darts coverage. Clark was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2011 however and nine years later was forced into an early retirement to focus on battling the disease.
His successor,
Emma Paton deserves plenty of praise and plaudits according to Clark although he admits he struggles to enjoy watching the coverage, knowing he can't be there himself. "Longevity is a sign of success," he told the Mirror. "You are very disposable as a TV presenter. I had a great time, just amazing. I have massive pride."
“Emma has done great, but I do find it quite hard to watch it,” Clark continues. “It’s like going to a party and watching your wife smooch with another man. You don’t want to see it. I’m still into it and watch the big games, but I had my time.”
“It was basically a pub sport and we made it like a party you want to be at. I loved the characters, just ordinary blokes doing something amazing," the 56-year-old explained about how he'd witnessed the sport of darts evolve over the years into the global phenomena we see today. “Most sports have a high every 20 or 30 minutes, darts has one every few seconds. We are blessed with loads of characters. Sport is all about personality and rivalry. I miss the people, but nothing lasts forever."