In the electrifying atmosphere of Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, the 2025 World Matchplay Darts final delivered a spectacle that will linger in the annals of the sport. Teenage sensation Luke Littler, at just 18, etched his name into history by defeating veteran James Wade 18-13 to claim the prestigious Phil Taylor Trophy and complete darts’ coveted Triple Crown—joining legends like Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, and Luke Humphries. Yet, the match’s aftermath sparked controversy when Wade, a 42-year-old darts icon, appeared to abruptly leave the stage before Littler’s trophy presentation, drawing sharp criticism from fans and pundits alike. Now, the real reason behind Wade’s swift exit has come to light, painting a picture of frustration, professionalism, and personal reflection rather than disrespect.
The final itself was a masterclass in high-stakes darts. Wade, known as ‘The Machine’ for his clinical precision, roared to a commanding 5-0 lead, capitalizing on Littler’s slow start with a three-dart average of 101.54 and a 44.8% checkout rate. “I’m just done, I’m exhausted,” Wade had said after his grueling semifinal win over Jonny Clayton, a 20-18 epic that pushed him to his seventh Matchplay final. Despite his early dominance, Littler, with a staggering 107.24 average and 17 maximum 180s, mounted a comeback for the ages, leveling the score at 5-5 and eventually taking the lead at 7-6. “I think James started to drop off a bit and I started to find my best darts,” Littler reflected, highlighting his ability to seize momentum. Wade fought valiantly, hitting a 95 and a 101 checkout to stay within striking distance at 14-13, but Littler’s relentless scoring—capped by a 115 checkout—sealed the victory.
As Littler basked in the glory of becoming the youngest Matchplay champion, Wade’s quick departure from the stage sparked outrage. Social media erupted, with fans like Tom Clayton sarcastically noting, “Nice to see Wade stay on stage to watch Littler lift the trophy. Not!” Another, Craig Milner, was less restrained: “Walking off stage before Littler gets his trophy says it all about him. Bit of a p***k.” Sky Sports pundits Michael Bridge and Chris Murphy addressed the incident, with Bridge clarifying, “I got it clarified that there was no issues with Luke or the crowd or anything like that. He was just angry at himself, which is fine, but we would have liked to have heard from him.” Murphy added, “I thought it was disrespectful for him not to be on the stage at the end. Just stand there for a minute and applaud, and then say, ‘I don’t want to talk.’”
The truth, however, reveals a more nuanced story. Wade’s exit was not born of malice toward Littler, whom he graciously praised post-match. “He said, ‘Well played, brilliant tournament and well done to you,’” Littler shared, recalling their on-stage exchange. Insiders suggest Wade’s departure stemmed from personal frustration after a hard-fought loss, compounded by his irritation with a heckling fan in the VIP section during the match. “He’s definitely got a lot better since the UK Open,” Littler noted, referencing their earlier 11-2 clash in March, where Wade admitted, “He absolutely smashed me to bits!” Wade’s decision to skip the post-match interview, while a breach of darts etiquette, was not a formal violation, as the Darts Regulation Authority requires media obligations only from the champion.
Wade later broke his silence, emphasizing gratitude over grievance. “I wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s supported me this week,” he wrote, acknowledging his fans, family, and sponsors. “It has been a brilliant week of highs and ultimately I’m so happy I made it to the finals last night. A big congratulations to Luke on the win.” His words suggest a desire to let Littler shine, even as he grappled with his own disappointment. Wade’s history of emotional moments—like his infamous flatulence during a match against Peter Wright—shows a player unafraid to wear his heart on his sleeve, for better or worse.
For Littler, the victory was a crowning achievement in a year that saw him earn £200,000 for the Matchplay, adding to his £1.5 million career haul. “I am just so happy,” he said, crediting his family and girlfriend, Faith Millar, for their support. “I came here last year and lost in the first round. Some people might have thought I might lose again, but I pulled myself out.” Wade, meanwhile, opted for downtime, skipping the Australian Darts Masters to recharge with family, a decision shared by Michael van Gerwen and Nathan Aspinall. As Littler prepares for his next challenge in Wollongong, Wade’s legacy as a 10-time televised title winner remains intact, his walk-off a fleeting moment in a career defined by resilience and precision.
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