WADE: MODERN DARTS MISSING BIG CHARACTERS

JAMES WADE delivered a brutal verdict on the new generation of darts stars after branding them “robotic” and insisting the sport is “poorer” without big characters. 

‘The Machine’ has been in magnificent form this year as he made the final of the UK Open and World Matchplay. 

World No. 5 Wade also picked up his first senior title since 2022 at the Players Championship 19 in June. 

But Wade fears the modern crop of players lack the colour and personality once brought to the stage by legends like Phil Taylor, Wayne Mardle and Adrian Lewis. 

He told the Weekly Dartscast: “I don’t think the characters are vibrant as they used to be. I don’t think there’s many characters in the game. You’ve got to remember when I was… 
 
“When I started or mid-career for me, you had Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, Wayne Mardle. There was loads of them. They were individual characters. 
 
“For me, it doesn’t feel like it’s like that anymore. They feel much of a muchness and they’re very robotic and they’re very good with their interviews. They’re very new. 
 
“It’s changed a lot. I think the game is poorer in some ways because of that. But it’s also the way the world is. 
 
“The world’s very sleek and uniformed”   

Aldershot slinger Wade has reached FOUR semi-finals on the Euro Tour this season showcasing his brilliant consistency. 

The 10-time major champ has already banked £259,500 in prize money this year – second only to Luke Littler, who got the better of him in both TV finals. 

He added: “I’ve had a brilliant 12 months. I think every TV tournament, I’ve been in quarters or further, apart from World Series that I’ve just played in, but I wasn’t even at the races there.  

“I think money-wise, ranking-wise, I’ve been the second-best performing player in this year so far. 
 
“I’m doing well. I’ve not played particularly well, but I’m doing well. I’m getting the right results. 
 
“I’m grinding out results. One of the finals against Luke, I was rubbish. It was a long, long day for me. 
 
“And the second one, costly double ten at 14-14 massive, massive, massive double. But it’s like relearning again. I’m having another go at it.” 

The 42-year-old has enjoyed a glittering career since joining the PDC back in 2004 and remained a force at the top ever since. 

Wade has no plans to walk away from the oche just yet.

He continued: “I’m not sure how many more other goes I’ve got at it. How many years are left? Maybe five.

“Don’t think 10, but who knows? I’m old, I’m annoying, and I keep myself perhaps not relevant as a person, but relevant as a player. They can’t dismiss me when I’m doing what I’m doing.

“I’m, like I say, top five of the world. If I had pulled my finger out in the last couple of tournaments, I’d be top four, but it is what it is. I’m doing all right. 

“It’s really nice for me when I’m feeling negative and a little bit down, it’s a little bit of reassurance I can look back on. Because I do look. I’m my own biggest critic.” 

Wade returns to action on Monday at the World Grand Prix in Leicester and will face Joe Cullen.

Image by Taylor Lanning.