James Wade, the polarizing darts veteran known as “The Machine,” has once again found himself in the eye of a storm following a contentious moment at the International Darts Open in Riesa, Germany. On April 5, 2025, during a tightly contested second-round match against Cameron Menzies, Wade ignited fresh criticism by refusing a pre-match handshake offered by his opponent, a gesture widely seen as a display of sportsmanship. The incident, coming on the heels of a widely publicized altercation with world number one Luke Humphries at the UK Open, has intensified scrutiny on Wade’s behavior and raised questions about his approach to the game.
The drama unfolded as Wade, a 41-year-old three-time UK Open champion, faced Menzies, a rising Scottish star who earned his spot through the Pro Tour Order of Merit Qualifiers. With £175,000 in prize money at stake, the match was a high-stakes affair, tied at 5-5 heading into the decisive 11th leg. Menzies, in a show of respect, extended his hand before the final leg, but Wade coldly turned away, leaving the Scotsman hanging as he refocused on the oche. The snub drew gasps from the crowd and immediate backlash from fans, who took to social media to brand Wade’s actions as “disrespectful” and “classless.” Despite the tension, Menzies kept his composure, capitalizing on Wade’s missed match dart at bullseye on a 124 checkout to clinch victory with a double eight, advancing to face Stephen Bunting in the third round.
Wade’s refusal to engage with Menzies echoed a similar flashpoint at the UK Open in March 2025, where he faced accusations of crossing the line in a quarter-final clash with Humphries. Before their match, Wade appeared to lick Humphries’ neck during a pre-game embrace, an act described as “disgusting” by former Players Championship winner Paul Nicholson. “The photograph that surfaced of James sticking his tongue out and touching Luke’s neck was disgusting, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it was investigated,” Nicholson remarked, suggesting the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) might probe the incident. The bizarre moment set the tone for a frosty encounter, with Humphries and Wade skipping the customary handshake before the deciding leg. Humphries, visibly rattled after his 10-9 defeat, later posted on X, “Everyone loves to see people be a bad loser, but I’m generally one of the best losers in the sport. I wasn’t going to give someone who didn’t deserve my respect after what he was doing through the game a hug and be all happy about it—that’s just my honesty.” The post, though deleted, underscored the world number one’s frustration.
Wade’s antics didn’t stop with Humphries. Just days after the UK Open, he kissed Raymond van Barneveld on the cheek before their Belgian Open match, prompting complaints from the Dutch legend to the referee. More recently, at the Players Championship in Leicester in June 2025, Wade was caught in another eyebrow-raising moment when he appeared to fart during a match against Peter Wright, causing his opponent to step back in disbelief. Wade jokingly blamed the incident on a new pair of shoes, but the pattern of provocative behavior has cemented his reputation as a master of mind games—or, to critics, a repeat offender who flouts decorum.
Despite the controversies, Wade’s talent remains undeniable. At the UK Open, he showcased his brilliance, firing six 180s in the final three legs against Humphries and posting a near-140 average in the decider. His 11-2 semi-final rout of Josh Rock propelled him to the final, though he fell 11-2 to Luke Littler, who claimed his fifth major title. Reflecting on his UK Open run, Wade said, “I did it in particular in the Luke Humphries match, where in the last three legs I hit six 180s, had something close to a 140 average, and ultimately finished my doubles when those opportunities were given to me.” He attributed his success to thriving under pressure, a skill honed over a 20-year career that includes 11 major titles, making him the second player after Phil Taylor to win majors across three decades.
Yet Wade’s recent actions have drawn sharp rebukes from peers and pundits. Former darts star Damian Vrij criticized his theatrics, stating, “That’s typical Wade, isn’t it? Then there’s a fuss because of that lick on Humphries’ neck, which I felt was coming all the way.” The DRA, while not issuing a punishment for the Humphries incident, faces pressure to address Wade’s conduct, especially after his 2020 ban for behavior deemed detrimental to the sport’s reputation. As Wade continues to compete, his blend of brilliance and provocation keeps the darts world divided—some see a cunning strategist, others a player whose antics overshadow his legacy. For now, the spotlight remains on “The Machine,” whose next move on the oche is sure to stir more debate.
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