ABIGAIL DAVIES is one of the most knowledgeable sports hosts to grace the mic – and she will be reporting for duty at the World Darts Championship once again!
Davies is widely known for her excellent Sky Sports coverage of darts and football.
But she became the talk of the town when an iconic cueist proposed to her during the 2024 German Championships.
And SunSport can reveal who that was along with what we know about her life story.
Starting at Sky Sports in 2017 as a runner, Abigail Davies has quickly risen to the top of the presenting leagues.
She also took up work with BBC, ITV and talkSPORT as a freelancer along the way.
Davies is a major advocate for mental health having revealed that she struggled with an eating disorder when she was younger.
In 2022, the iconic host posted a picture of herself working for Sky at a Swansea game which made her reflect on her difficulties as a teenager.
She captioned it with: “15yo me left a psychiatric unit for an evening to watch the Swans.
“90 mins where I was consumed by something other than anorexia/depression.
“From that night, watching the Swans gave me a reason to fight… Today I’m covering them for Soccer Saturday. This means so much to me.”
Abigail Davies is engaged to Sky Sports colleague Dan Dawson.
He is a prominent figure in darts commentary and broadcasting.
Dawson regularly commentates on matches, bringing his engaging style to Sky’s coverage.
Dan’s commentary is characterised by his in-depth knowledge of the sport, quick wit and ability to provide engaging narratives during matches.
And he is a mainstay on his beloved Euro Tour where he dropped on one knee for wife-to-be Abigail Davies.
Davies hilariously was a little confused at the proposal and joked that she thought Dawson bought it for ex-darts star Steve Beaton.
On her social media pages, Davies wrote: “”I think he bought this ring to propose to Steve Beaton but I’ll take it…,
“Of course it happened at a Euro Tour.”
The iconic Sky Sports host bravely lifted the lid on her health trouble after working at the 2023 World Darts Championship.
After returning home for a well-deserved break and a glass of wine, the inspirational host took to social media to open up on her struggles.
Davies said: “Went to The Priory the day before the World Championship started.
“Final question before I left: ‘Can you promise you’ll keep yourself alive over Christmas?’
“So yeah, proud for doing what I needed to, to deal with anorexia/suicidal thoughts.
“Posting this for everyone in the same boat. We’ve got this.”
Loads of fans gave their support to Abigail’s amazing quotes on social media.
Fans and colleagues hailed Davies, saying: “Huge credit to you in your honesty about your own personal mental health. Keep being you, you’re doing great things!”
Another wrote: “You should be very proud of yourself on many levels. You did a brilliant job at the darts. All power to you.”
More added: “Amazing coverage over the duration of the whole tournament. One of the few sports journalists whose talent is natural for all to see.”
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support.
The following are free to contact and confidential:
Mind, www.mind.org, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@mind.org.uk or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary).
YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too.
Rethink Mental Illness, www.rethink.org, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).
Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk, is the a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales.
