In the high-pressure, often eccentric world of professional darts, where players battle it out on the oche under intense scrutiny from cameras and crowds, unexpected moments can steal the show. Few incidents have captured the imagination quite like the one involving James Wade during a Players Championship event in Leicester. The 41-year-old veteran, affectionately known as “The Machine,” found himself at the center of a viral storm after a loud, unmistakable noise echoed across the stage during his quarter-final clash against Callan Rydz. What followed was a mix of laughter, speculation, and a hilariously defensive response that only added to Wade’s reputation as one of the sport’s most colorful characters.
The drama unfolded in the latter stages of the match at Players Championship 22. Wade had just clinched the 11th leg to secure a hard-fought 6-5 victory over Rydz, advancing him further in the tournament. As he walked over to a side table, slightly bending his knees in what appeared to be a moment of relief or casual movement, a deep, resonant sound boomed through the live stream. To millions watching and sharing clips online, it sounded unmistakably like a thunderous fart—prompting immediate jokes about “fartgate” and even concerns of a “shart.” The acoustics on stage, combined with the sensitive microphones, made the noise impossible to miss, turning an otherwise routine celebration of a win into instant comedy gold for darts fans worldwide.
Social media erupted almost instantly. Clips circulated rapidly, with pundits and viewers alike chiming in. Sky Sports darts commentator Wayne Mardle couldn’t resist sharing the footage with a burst of laughter in his caption. Fans flooded comment sections with quips like “One Hundred & Farting,” “Elite level fart from James Wade. Perfect acoustics,” and “What a legend lol.” Some even suggested he might need “a new pair of shorts.” The banter highlighted just how much the darts community embraces these unfiltered, human moments amid the serious competition.
Rather than ignoring the growing chatter, Wade decided to address the situation head-on with his trademark dry humor. In a statement posted on his social media channels shortly after his run to the semi-finals (where he eventually fell 7-4 to Gary Anderson despite some brilliant finishes from his opponent), he set the record straight—or at least offered his version of events. “I feel I must address a situation following my run to the semi-finals of PC22 today,” he wrote. “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 as I don’t wish to talk about it again.”
Wade doubled down on the explanation in a column, emphasizing his need to defend himself. “There’s no point beating around the bush,” he explained. “On Tuesday, during a run to the semi-finals of the Players Championship 22 event in Leicester, footage emerged of what appeared to be me letting off a fart following my quarter-final win over Callan Rydz. Unsurprisingly, it rapidly spread on social media—and it even made international headlines. I have to defend myself, and I am sticking to the story that it was the velcro on my new trainers! In all seriousness, I thought the live streams for matches ended as soon as the final dart was thrown. I won’t be making that mistake again!”
The incident brought a wave of light-hearted relief to fans, with Wade himself noting that he was glad it seemed to brighten everyone’s day and spark some enjoyable banter. Beyond the humor, the tournament represented solid progress for The Machine. His darts had been in strong form of late, with impressive performances across the two days in Leicester helping him secure his spot in the upcoming World Grand Prix in October—a competition he fancied his chances in. With several more events on the horizon, including the Swiss Open and additional Players Championships in Wigan, Wade was using these floor events to sharpen his game and build momentum.
At 41, Wade remains a respected figure in the PDC, with a career that includes Premier League titles and consistent deep runs in major events. Known for his smooth left-handed throwing style and no-nonsense approach, he has also dealt with personal challenges, including mental health struggles that he has spoken openly about in the past. Moments like this, however, show a more playful side—one that resonates with audiences who appreciate darts not just for the skill but for the raw humanity on display.
This wasn’t the first time bodily functions had caused a stir in darts. Fans recalled similar “fartgate” tales involving other players, such as Gary Anderson’s infamous denial years earlier at the Grand Slam of Darts, where he firmly rejected accusations and even suggested his opponent might need a doctor. But Wade’s velcro trainers defense added a fresh, inventive twist that kept the conversation going for days.
In the end, the noise—whether from strained velcro or something more natural—did nothing to derail Wade’s focus during the match itself. He powered through to victory against Rydz and continued competing at a high level. The episode served as a reminder that even elite athletes experience awkward, everyday mishaps under the spotlight. In a sport where concentration is everything and the smallest distraction can cost a leg, Wade’s ability to laugh it off (or at least blame his footwear) only endeared him further to the darts faithful.
As the PDC calendar rolls on, with major televised events looming, fans will no doubt keep an eye on Wade—not just for his scoring prowess and checkouts, but for any more unexpected soundtrack from the oche. Whether it’s the rip of velcro or the occasional human imperfection, these moments make professional darts one of the most entertaining spectacles in sport. For James Wade, it was simply another day at the office: win some legs, address the inevitable viral clip, and move on with a wink and a quip. After all, in darts, it’s not just about hitting the treble twenty—it’s about rolling with whatever life (or your trainers) throws at you on stage.
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