Saturday 29 October 2016 21:36, UK
John Gwynne hailed Dave Lanning as a 'giant' of darts as he paid tribute to his former commentary colleague after his death at the age of 78.
Gwynne and Lanning commentated on the first PDC World Championship, which started in December 1993, and Lanning would remain part of the team until his retirement in 2011.
Lanning, who was in the commentary box for the first televised nine-dart finish in 1984, was also a leading commentator on speedway as well as writing for national newspapers.
"Dave was a remarkable man, utterly professional and I doubt I have sat alongside anyone quite so professional," Gwynne told Sky Sports News HQ.
"He always perfected his preparation for every single match he did and I have no reason to believe it was any different when he did speedway. His voice has been synonymous with both sports since the 1960s.
"He worked a lot of major darts tournaments before Sky Sports on his own. When Sky took on darts at the end of 1993, and invited Dave and myself to do the first ever world championship I felt extremely privileged.
"I knew Dave, I liked Dave very much and we worked together on that first world championship at Purfleet, the Circus Tavern. Sid would join us later in the year and we would end up working as a team.
"I think he got added pleasure from seeing, following the demise of the sport, darts grow immensely through the late 1970s and 80s before the split in the early 90s, and then the renaissance of darts with Sky Sports and Dave, Sid and myself playing a part in its redevelopment.
"Along with the players that broke away, and others who joined, we all together helped to make the sport what it is today. Dave was a giant in that pursuit.
"He had a great sense of humour as well and could definitely find the funny side of things. We' had some fabulous times inside and out of the commentary box. Dave took it very seriously but we all had great fun and I am very sad to learn today of his passing."
