Wade says he is “second-best” behind Taylor for longevity

JAMES WADE reckons he is the “second-best dart player of all time” when it comes to longevity.

The world No6 is competing in his 22nd World Grand Prix after beating Joe Cullen 2-1 in the opening round in Leicester.

Wade, 43, has been a mainstay at the top of the sport for THREE decades after winning the prestigious title in 2007 and 2010.

The Aldershot slinger is showing no signs of slowing down, remaining inside the world’s top eight and collecting three PDC titles during an impressive 2026 campaign.

Wade has won on the World Series, ProTour and European Tour this year, adding to a glittering CV which includes 11 Premier event titles.

The Machine believes his ability to remain at the highest level for so long puts him behind only 16-time world champion Phil Taylor.

He said: “I think if you are going longevity, I am probably the second-best dart player of all time by an absolute country mile.

“The best player longevity-wise would be Phil Taylor because he is just like unbelievable. I’m still here because I still need to be here.

“I can’t earn what I earn outside of darts. That is quite a simplistic equation and simplistic answer.

“This is my job. My job is to do better for my children than I had done to me. I just want to give my children everything I didn’t have.

“I think that is the same for everyone that does their job. I am still here because I want to have a better life for my children.”

Wade was asked how much his 22 years of experience in the double-start, double-out format can help when facing a player making their debut in the competition.

He added: “Years ago, I probably thought that might be quite a big statement and quite a bold thing, but I just think there are so many great players now. It’s bloody hard. It genuinely is really, really hard.

“You get average players who have their half-decent game. I watched it earlier on. I’m not going to say names, actually, because that makes me sound like a right t***.

“There was someone earlier on who beat someone who’s experienced, but they have been inflated and blown up by Sky and the PDC.

“Someone else played their all-right game and beat them.

“It’s a hard, hard format. It’s a hard, hard tournament, and very few of us have been lucky enough to win it.”

Wade returns to action against Stephen Bunting at the Mattioli Arena, with a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs.