In the high-stakes world of professional darts, where precision and focus are paramount, James Wade, the enigmatic veteran known as “The Machine,” once again stole the spotlight for reasons beyond his dart-throwing prowess. During a gripping last-32 clash at Players Championship 17 in Leicester on June 17, 2025, Wade unleashed an unexpected disruption—a loud fart that stopped the match and left opponent Peter Wright reeling in a mix of shock and amusement. The incident, dubbed “Fartgate” by fans and media, has added another chapter to Wade’s colorful history of controversial antics, sparking laughter, debate, and renewed scrutiny of his on-stage behavior.
The match, a tense 6-5 victory for Wade, was a showcase of his resilience, but it was the flatulent interruption that captured global attention. As Wade approached the board to retrieve his darts, an audible emission prompted Wright, nicknamed “Snakebite,” to step back from the oche, visibly taken aback. A bemused Wright laughed uncomfortably, while referee Owen Binks, aware of the live stream capturing every moment, interjected with a wry, “Oh boy, okay then… This is a streamed match, guys.” Wade, unfazed, quipped, “It slipped out. Give it a second,” before urging Wright to continue, saying, “Go ahead. Do you want nine more arrows?” The moment, broadcast to thousands, turned a competitive encounter into a viral spectacle, with fans on social media erupting in a mix of hilarity and disbelief. One fan joked, “Rude guy… didn’t slip out, he used force,” while another remarked, “Wondered why it was so windy yesterday at the Pro Tour. Turns out it was James Wade!”
This wasn’t Wade’s first brush with “Fartgate.” In September 2024, during a Players Championship match against Callan Rydz, a similar incident occurred, with Wade blaming the noise on his “Velcro shoes.” He took to social media then, writing, “I feel I must address a situation following my run to the semi-finals of PC22 today. Footage has emerged of me doing what appears to be a ‘shart’ at the end of one of my matches. It was actually the Velcro on my new trainers. I now consider this matter put to bed.” Despite his attempt to close the chapter, the Leicester incident reignited the narrative, with fans noting his “form for farting” in high-pressure moments. Wade’s 6-5 win over Rydz in 2024, followed by a loss to Gary Anderson, and his subsequent 6-5 victory over Wright, suggest a curious correlation between his flatulence and competitive success.
Wade’s antics extend beyond bodily functions. Earlier in 2025, he sparked outrage at the UK Open by appearing to lick Luke Humphries’ neck during a pre-match embrace, an act branded “disgusting” by pundit Paul Nicholson. Days later, he kissed Raymond van Barneveld on the cheek, prompting complaints to the referee. These incidents, coupled with his latest “Fartgate,” have cemented Wade’s reputation as a provocateur who thrives on unsettling opponents. “That’s typical Wade, isn’t it?” said former player Damian Vrij, reflecting on his knack for psychological warfare. Yet, Wade’s defenders argue his antics are part of his charm, with one fan on X quipping, “The tactical warfare of the fart is fine with me, when u gotta, you gotta.”
Despite the controversy, Wade’s skill remains undeniable. Ranked world number nine, he ended a three-year title drought at Players Championship 19, defeating Scott Williams in a clinical display. “I still want to be in the mix. I know I am still good enough to compete with the best players,” Wade said after the victory, underscoring his determination to remain a contender. His 11 major titles, including three UK Open crowns, place him among darts’ elite, second only to Phil Taylor in spanning three decades of major wins. However, his 3-0 first-round loss to Jermaine Wattimena at the 2024 World Darts Championship highlighted the challenges of maintaining consistency in a fiercely competitive field.
The Leicester “Fartgate” has reignited discussions about sportsmanship and decorum in darts, a sport where pub-rooted camaraderie meets cutthroat competition. While Wright, a two-time world champion, took the incident in stride, the Darts Regulation Authority may review Wade’s conduct, given his 2020 ban for similar behavior. As the darts world gears up for the 2026 World Championship, with its £1 million top prize, Wade’s blend of brilliance and bravado ensures he remains a polarizing figure—one whose every move, intentional or not, keeps fans and foes alike on edge.
𝗚𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗔𝗠𝗠𝗘ⵑ 💨🤢
James Wade laat wéér een scheet, nu vlak voor Peter Wright 😅#ViaplayDarts pic.twitter.com/5tz1nQGEix— Viaplay Sport Nederland (@viaplaysportnl) June 18, 2025
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