Emma Paton: The Face of Sky Sports Darts and a Rising Broadcasting Star
Emma Paton has become a household name for sports fans across the United Kingdom. Best known as the host of Sky Sports’ darts coverage, she has carved out a reputation as one of the most professional, engaging, and versatile presenters on British television. With a background in athletics, an impressive academic journey, and more than a decade of experience across journalism, production, and on-screen presenting, Emma Paton embodies the modern multi-sport journalist.
This article explores her life, education, early career, rise within Sky Sports, and her role as a prominent voice in contemporary sports broadcasting.
Early Life and Education
Sporting Beginnings
Emma Paton’s love for sport began at an early age. A gifted athlete, she competed as a national-level 400-metre runner. This athletic background shaped her perspective and passion for sports journalism, providing her with a first-hand understanding of the dedication and determination required of professional athletes.
Academic Path
Her academic journey laid the foundations for her broadcasting career. After completing her A-levels in P.E, Psychology, Sociology, and Spanish at Reigate College, Emma moved on to higher education:
-
Loughborough University (2007–2010): BSc in Sport and Exercise Science. Loughborough is renowned for its sporting excellence, and it was here that Emma’s appreciation for the scientific and analytical side of sport deepened.
-
St Mary’s University, Twickenham (2010–2012): MA in Sports Journalism alongside an NCTJ Certificate and Diploma. This postgraduate programme provided her with essential journalistic skills, from news writing and media law to digital production.
Early Journalism Experience
Sports Gazette and Sportsister.com
While at St Mary’s, Emma worked with the Sports Gazette, a student-led project where she gained hands-on experience writing match reports, features, and sports news. She also contributed to Sportsister.com, a women’s sports magazine, writing articles and previews while interviewing athletes across multiple disciplines.
Beat Media Group and Sportsbeat/News Associates
Emma went on to contribute to Sportsbeat, one of London’s busiest sports news agencies, producing features and conducting interviews with Olympic athletes. This role sharpened her ability to produce accurate, engaging content under tight deadlines.
A Breakthrough at the 2012 London Olympics
One of Emma’s most formative experiences came during the London 2012 Olympic Games. She joined the British Olympic Association as a news service writer, working at Team GB House and across Olympic venues. Her duties included:
-
Producing the daily Team GB newsletter.
-
Writing athlete profiles and competition summaries.
-
Coordinating interviews with medal winners.
-
Supporting broadcasters such as BBC News, Sky Sports, and ITN.
This pivotal role introduced her to the demands of international sporting events and helped cement her reputation as a rising talent in sports media.
Career at Sky Sports
Entry into Sky
Emma first joined Sky Sports in early 2012 as an online journalist, writing stories across an array of sports for skysports.com and the Sky Sports app. Her responsibilities included live blogging, breaking news updates, and producing content for social media.
Progression Behind the Scenes
From 2014 to 2019, Emma worked as a sub-editor at Sky Sports News. In this role, she scripted and produced stories, cut interviews, and edited footage for the 24-hour news channel. She was also involved in producing specialist programmes such as Sportswomen.
Becoming a Presenter
In May 2019, Emma made the leap to on-screen presenting. She quickly became a familiar face to viewers, fronting segments on Sky Sports News and Sky’s digital platforms. Her transition from behind-the-scenes production to live presenting demonstrated her versatility and natural on-camera presence.
The Queen of the Alexandra Palace
Darts Coverage
Emma Paton has become most closely associated with darts coverage on Sky Sports. Known as the Queen of the Alexandra Palace, she fronts the World Darts Championship every December and January. She also leads coverage of the Premier League Darts, which runs weekly across the season.
Her ability to manage the intensity of live darts broadcasts — often accompanied by raucous, noisy crowds — has won her admiration from fans and colleagues alike. She has spoken candidly about the challenges of presenting in such a lively environment, relying on teamwork with commentators and producers to keep the coverage seamless.
Other Sports
Although darts is her signature role, Emma is not limited to a single sport. She has presented coverage of:
-
The US Open in tennis.
-
WWE events.
-
Transfer Deadline Day, one of Sky Sports News’ most high-profile broadcasts.
Her broad sporting knowledge and adaptability make her one of Sky’s most valuable assets.
New Challenges and Expanding Roles
In 2025, Sky Sports News introduced The Premier League Show, a weekday evening magazine programme focusing on football. Emma Paton was named as one of its primary presenters, alternating duties with Julian Warren. This expansion confirmed her position as a key figure at the broadcaster.
Personal Life
Emma Paton is known to keep her personal life private. What is publicly known is that:
-
She is not married.
-
She is reportedly in a relationship with a partner named Hannibal, with whom she co-owns a flat.
While she maintains a professional boundary around her private affairs, her approachable on-screen persona has made her a favourite among viewers.
Social Media Presence
Emma is semi-active on social media, using the handle @missemmapaton on both Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). She has over 200,000 Instagram followers and close to 80,000 followers on X, where she posts about her work, events she covers, and occasional behind-the-scenes insights.
Although she describes herself as not particularly prolific online, her fanbase is loyal and vocal. Comments praising her presenting style and appearance are common, reflecting her growing profile as a television personality.
Recognition and Influence
Emma Paton is not only admired for her presenting but also for her journey. From athlete to journalist, and from behind-the-scenes production to front-line presenting, she represents persistence, adaptability, and professionalism. She has broken ground in traditionally male-dominated sports like darts and football broadcasting, paving the way for future female sports presenters.
Conclusion
Emma Paton’s career is a testament to hard work, dedication, and versatility. From her days as a 400-metre runner and sports science student, through her early reporting at the London 2012 Olympics, to becoming one of the most recognisable faces on Sky Sports, her journey has been remarkable.
Today, Emma Paton stands as a leading presenter not just of darts, but of multi-sport broadcasting in the UK. With her expanding role at Sky, a growing fanbase, and an ever-increasing profile, she is set to remain a prominent figure in British sports media for years to come.
