In a moment that will be etched in darts folklore, James Wade, the world No. 10, sparked chaos and laughter during a Players Championship 17 match in Leicester, leaving opponent Peter Wright reeling and fans in hysterics. The tightly contested 6-5 victory for Wade over the two-time world champion was overshadowed by an unexpected interruption when Wade, known as ‘The Machine,’ let rip with a fart on the oche, prompting Wright to walk off in disbelief. The incident, dubbed ‘Fartgate’ by amused spectators, added another chapter to Wade’s notorious history of on-stage antics, turning a routine ProTour clash into a viral spectacle.
The match, part of the PDC’s Players Championship series, saw both veterans battling fiercely for a quarter-final spot. Wright, the colorful 55-year-old Scot known as ‘Snakebite,’ was locked in a tense back-and-forth with Wade, who edged out a narrow win. But the real drama unfolded mid-match when Wade, after throwing a dart, audibly broke wind, leaving Wright visibly stunned. The 42-year-old Englishman, unfazed, quipped, “It slipped out. Give it a second,” as Wright stepped back, laughing uncomfortably and retreating from the oche. Referee Owen Binks, caught off guard, reminded the players of the live stream, exclaiming, “Oh boy, okay then… This is a streamed match, guys.” Wright, clearly rattled, lingered away from the board, prompting Wade to coax him back with a cheeky, “Go ahead. Do you want nine more arrows?”
The incident sent social media into a frenzy, with fans reveling in the absurdity. One supporter wrote, “The best sport on earth,” while another dubbed Wade “the funniest guy on tour.” A third joked, “Wondered why it was so windy yesterday at the Pro Tour. Turns out it was James Wade s******g his pants again.” The moment’s hilarity wasn’t lost on the darts community, which thrives on the sport’s blend of precision and personality. However, Wright’s hesitation suggested the smell was potent enough to disrupt his focus, though he later tried to see the funny side.
This wasn’t Wade’s first brush with ‘Fartgate.’ In September 2024, during a Players Championship match against Callan Rydz, he was caught on camera bending slightly at a table, followed by a suspicious sound. Fans erupted online, but Wade insisted, “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.” Skeptical fans questioned whether he was even wearing velcro shoes, and the Leicester incident only reignited the debate. “Those creaking floorboards are at it again,” one fan sarcastically remarked, referencing Wade’s earlier excuse.
Wade’s 6-5 triumph over Wright showcased his resilience, but his tournament run ended in the quarter-finals with a 6-3 loss to eventual winner Chris Dobey. The flatulence fiasco, however, stole the headlines, echoing past darts controversies, like the 2018 Grand Slam of Darts when Gary Anderson was accused of breaking wind by Wesley Harms. Anderson vehemently denied it, saying, “If the boy thinks I’ve farted, he’s 1,010 per cent wrong. Every time I walked past there was a waft of rotten eggs… If somebody has done that, they need to see a doctor.” Wade’s candid admission, by contrast, leaned into the humor, cementing his reputation as a larger-than-life figure.
The darts world, known for its camaraderie and quirks, thrives on such moments. Wade, a four-time PDC World Championship semi-finalist and 11-time major winner, has long been a polarizing figure, blending clinical precision with a mischievous streak. Wright, meanwhile, continues to battle through a challenging 2025, having reached the World Championship quarter-finals but struggled with consistency. Their Leicester clash, though competitive, will be remembered less for the scoreline and more for Wade’s unscripted disruption.
As the PDC ProTour rolls on, Wade’s antics serve as a reminder of darts’ unique charm—where world-class skill meets unfiltered humanity. Whether it’s a nine-darter or an ill-timed fart, the oche remains a stage for both brilliance and banter, keeping fans glued to every moment.
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