SID WADDELL will celebrate 30 years of darts commentary at this year's Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.
The legendary 'Voice of Darts' will reach this broadcasting landmark when the tournament takes place at Alexandra Palace from 17 December.
During his career, Sid has commentated on many of darts' most historic moments, including 28 World Championship finals and two nine-darters.
He has commentated for Sky Sports since 1994 and will be part of its coverage of this year's World Championship, which includes every match live.
Commenting on the landmark, Sid said: "It's been an amazing journey and I wouldn't change a second of it.
"From county matches in town halls, to nine-darters and 10,000-seater sports arenas, televised darts has changed immeasurably. I'm as excited about the future as I am about the past."
Phil Taylor, the 13-time World Darts Champion, added: "Sid definitely enhances the television coverage of darts and has been doing so for 30 years - it's not the same without him.
"This is a fantastic achievement for a great man and a great friend."
Sid continued: "In the old days we used around six cameras and not much else. Now we have over 15 cameras, dry-ice, rock music, super-slomo cameras, live graphics and fantastic walk-on music.
"Televised darts is like a rock and roll show now so it's no wonder I still get so excited in the commentary box!
"My mother wanted me to be a priest and my dad wanted me to be a nuclear scientist.
"I can't imagine darts commentary was high on their wish list, but I've no doubt they'd be proud of what I've achieved."
Sid is best loved for his unique turn of phrase, and his classic commentary moments include:
"There couldn't have been more sensation if Elvis walked in here and asked for a chip sandwich"
"Cliff is off and looking for something yellow in a tall glass - and I don't mean daffodils"
and
"When Alexander of Macedonia was 33 he cried salt tears because there were no more worlds to conquer - Bristow is only 27!"
He made his darts commentary debut at the Vernon's Seven-a-Side Finals at Charnock Richard, near Preston, in December 1977.
He then commentated on the first ever World Darts Championship the following year at Nottingham, which was won by Leighton Rees.
He was on hand for 16 consecutive World Championships before the sport's biggest names set up the PDC in the early 1990s.
He joined Sky Sports in 1994 and has been ever-present since alongside a commentary team which now includes Dave Lanning, John Gwynne, Stuart Pyke, Nigel Pearson and Rod Harrington.
Sid played a key role in darts' development as a televised sport, producing 'Indoor League' for Yorkshire TV in the 1970s, which featured darts alongside bar billiards, arm-wrestling and table football.