Sky Sports broacaster Sid Waddell has died, aged 72.
The commentator had been battling bowel cancer since September 2011.
Waddell's death was confirmed by his manager Dick Allix in a statement which read: "With great sadness, we announce that following a long illness, broadcaster and author Sid Waddell died peacefully with all his family around him late last night, Saturday August 11th, 2012."
Waddell was a central part of Sky Sports' coverage of PDC darts events since 1994 and was known for his colourful commentary style, with his best-known lines including "There's only one word for it - 'magic darts"'.
In addition, he has had 11 books published and wrote the sport-based BBC children's programmes Jossy's Giants and Sloggers, receiving a nomination for best scriptwriter from the Writer's Guild of Great Britain for the latter.
Former players and broadcasting colleagues paid tribute after news of Waddell's death.
Twice BDO World Championship finalist Bobby George wrote on Twitter: "So sad to hear of the passing of the legend Sid Waddell or Sidly as I used to call him. Sincere condolences go out to the family x."
Sky Sports' Dave Clark, who worked with Waddell for many years, tearfully remembered his former colleague on Sky Sports News.
"He was the voice of darts," said Clark. "Darts isn't going to be the same without Sid Waddell.
"He had a child-like exuberance, he'd be bouncing round like a young puppy in the commentary box, and mix that with the intellect of Einstein.
"He was a brilliant man, a genius of the microphone - I'm going to miss my old mate, that's for sure.
"I know he's been really battling this cancer for a long, long time and what I hear from the family is it's a blessing that he's gone, but a tragedy."
