Dan Walker has been shut down for his comments demanding that the World Darts Championship final should have been shown free-to-air.
Former semi-finalist Wayne Mardle has hit back at the presenter, claiming terrestrial TV did not show interest in the sport when it needed it the most.
Millions tuned in as Luke Humphries beat plucky teenager Luke Littler in Wednesday's final at Alexandra Palace.
Humphries came from 4-2 down to beat Littler and win his first World Championship just a day after being crowned world No 1.
Dan Walker has been criticised following his comments about the darts final
PA
Many non-darts fans will have watched the sport for the first time as they cheered on record-breaker Littler.
Viewers were not able to watch the match for free though, something that irked Walker.
During the match on Wednesday, he posted on X: "Loving the coverage but sport like this should really be on terrestrial telly #WorldDartsChampionship."
Mardle was on commentary duty for the clash and didn't see the post until Thursday morning.
But he has since responded, writing: "Dan, terrestrial tv didn’t want to know when darts needed it.
"Sky Sports stood alone when taking darts on."
Sky first started showing the PDC over 30 years ago, which Mardle was keen to point out to another X user.
He wrote: "In 1994 the then WDC, now PDC needed a broadcaster, Sky sports stepped up. The rest as they say is history."
Mardle wasn't the only one to take exception with Walker's comments.
One user wrote: "Sky rejuvenated darts. Get a grip."
While another posted: "Darts would be dead if it wasn't for Sky."
Walker responded to the critics on Thursday, reaffirming his view that the final should have been made available to a bigger audience.
He wrote: "For clarity… Sky do a brilliant job on the darts and have transformed it.
"I’m well aware of the history of darts and terrestrial TV.
"My point is that big moments like that should have the biggest possible audience.
"Have a lovely day."
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Wayne Mardle hit back at Dan Walker on X
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TV bosses even had a call from an MP before the final to move the match to free-to-air TV.
Jamie Stone, the Liberal Democrat Culture & Sports Spokesperson, said it would be scandalous if it wasn't made available on a terrestrial channel.
Stone said in a statement: "The country is gripped by darts fever and the spectacle of a 16-year-old Brit becoming world champion.
"It would be scandalous for this historic game to be hidden away from millions of people. The final must be on free-to-air TV.
Luke Humphries beat Luke Littler to win the World Darts Championship
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"If Football, Cricket and Rugby World Cup finals are free-to-air, then so should darts.
"Sky Sports should do the right thing and share coverage with the likes of the BBC or ITV.
"Ministers have the power to put pressure on them."
