In an unforgettable moment on the darts circuit, a Players Championship 17 match in Milton Keynes, England, ground to a halt on June 18, 2025, when veteran player James Wade let rip an unexpected interruption—quite literally. Facing off against Peter Wright, Wade’s ill-timed flatulence sparked laughter, awkward glances, and a brief pause in play, earning the incident the cheeky moniker “Fartgate” among fans and media alike. The episode, caught live on camera, has since become the talk of the darts world, blending humor with the high-stakes tension of professional competition.
The match was progressing as expected, with both players locked in a battle of precision and focus. Wade, a 42-year-old former Premier League champion known for his cool-headed demeanor, was trading darts with Wright, a two-time world champion renowned for his colorful mohawk and flamboyant style. But in a moment that no one saw coming, Wade unleashed a sound that echoed through the arena, stopping Wright in his tracks. The Scot, visibly stunned, couldn’t hide his reaction, his eyes widening as he processed the interruption. “It slipped out,” Wade quipped with a sheepish grin, attempting to defuse the situation. “Give it a second.”
The referee, sensing the need to restore order, briefly halted the match, allowing the air—both literal and figurative—to clear. Spectators in the venue erupted in laughter, while those watching the live stream online were treated to a moment of pure, unscripted comedy. Wade, ever the professional, tried to shrug off the incident, but the cameras caught him chuckling as he realized the moment was being broadcast to thousands. “I forgot we were live,” he later admitted, adding fuel to the viral firestorm that followed.
For Wright, the incident was less amusing in the moment. Known for his intense focus at the oche, the 55-year-old struggled to regain his composure. “I didn’t know what to do,” Wright said post-match, shaking his head with a mix of amusement and disbelief. “You’re trying to hit a double, and then… that happens. Fair play to James, he owned it.” Despite the disruption, Wright showed his class, acknowledging the humor of the situation once the dust had settled.
This isn’t the first time Wade has been linked to such an incident. Darts fans with long memories recall similar moments in his career, where his digestive system seemed to have a knack for stealing the spotlight. The sport, often played in close quarters with players standing mere feet apart, leaves little room for such mishaps to go unnoticed. Yet, Wade’s ability to laugh it off has endeared him to fans, who see it as part of his relatable, down-to-earth charm.
The darts community, never one to let a good story pass, has embraced Fartgate with open arms. Social media platforms lit up with memes, gifs, and playful jabs, with fans dubbing Wade the “Master of Mischief” and suggesting he add “wind power” to his list of skills. The incident has also sparked lighthearted debates about darts etiquette—should there be a rule for such moments, or is it all part of the game’s raw, unfiltered appeal? For now, it seems the consensus is to let these moments slide, as they add a layer of humanity to a sport that thrives on precision and pressure.
As for the match itself, Wade and Wright eventually resumed play, with Wade emerging victorious in a tightly contested affair. But the scoreline was overshadowed by the moment that had everyone talking. For Wade, it’s a reminder that in darts, as in life, sometimes you just have to roll with the punches—or in this case, the puffs. “It’s darts, innit?” he said with a wink. “You’ve got to take the good with the bad.”
The incident serves as a testament to the sport’s unique blend of skill, showmanship, and spontaneity. While players like Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen dominate headlines with their prodigious talent, it’s moments like these that remind fans why darts remains a beloved spectacle. Whether Wade’s Fartgate will go down as a legendary footnote or simply a fleeting chuckle, one thing is certain: it’s a story that will linger in the air for some time to come.
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