In the unpredictable and often uproarious arena of professional darts, where precision under pressure meets the raw unpredictability of human nature, James Wade once again found himself at the heart of a viral sensation. The 41-year-old veteran, widely respected as “The Machine” for his smooth, clinical left-handed throwing style, was competing in a Players Championship event in Leicester when an unexpected sound echoed across the stage, sparking widespread amusement, speculation, and a flurry of online banter that quickly earned the nickname “Fartgate.”
The incident occurred during Wade’s quarter-final clash against Callan Rydz at Players Championship 22. Having just sealed an 11th leg to clinch a hard-fought 6-5 victory and advance in the tournament, Wade walked over to a side table. As he slightly bent his knees in what looked like a casual moment of relief or movement after the intense leg, a deep, resonant noise boomed through the live broadcast microphones. The acoustics of the venue amplified the sound perfectly, leaving viewers in no doubt about what it resembled—a loud, unmistakable fart. Clips of the moment spread like wildfire on social media, with fans and commentators alike erupting in laughter and dubbing it everything from an “elite-level fart” to concerns of a potential “shart.”
The darts community, known for embracing its lighter, more human side amid fierce competition, dove headfirst into the humor. Commentator Wayne Mardle shared the footage with evident amusement, while online reactions poured in thick and fast: “One Hundred & Farting,” “Perfect acoustics,” and playful warnings like “He might need a new pair of shorts.” The banter highlighted how these unscripted moments make professional darts so endearing to its passionate fanbase, turning a routine post-match movement into international comedy gold.
Rather than letting the speculation fester, Wade addressed the growing chatter directly with characteristic dry wit and self-awareness. In a statement shared on his social media channels shortly after reaching the semi-finals (where he ultimately lost 7-4 to Gary Anderson despite some standout finishes), he set out to clear the air once and for all. “I feel I must address a situation following my run to the semi-finals of PC22 today,” he wrote. “Footage has emerged of me doing what appears to be a ‘shart’ at the end of one of my matches. 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.”
He expanded on the explanation in a subsequent column, refusing to beat around the bush. “There’s no point beating around the bush,” Wade explained. “On Tuesday, during a run to the semi-finals of the Players Championship 22 event in Leicester, footage emerged of what appeared to be me letting off a fart following my quarter-final win over Callan Rydz. Unsurprisingly, it rapidly spread on social media—and it even made international headlines. I have to defend myself, and I am sticking to the story that it was the velcro on my new trainers! In all seriousness, I thought the live streams for matches ended as soon as the final dart was thrown. I won’t be making that mistake again!”
Wade added that he was pleased the episode seemed to brighten people’s days and generate some enjoyable online interaction, showing his ability to laugh along with the public. The moment brought a welcome dose of levity to the intense floor events, where players grind through multiple matches in a single day to accumulate ranking points and sharpen their form.
Beyond the viral noise, the Leicester Players Championship represented meaningful progress for Wade. His performances across the two days demonstrated strong darting form, helping him secure qualification for the upcoming World Grand Prix in October—an event in which he has historically performed well and where he fancied his chances once again. With additional floor events on the horizon, including the Swiss Open and further Players Championships in Wigan, Wade was focused on using these opportunities to build momentum heading into the bigger televised stages.
At 41, Wade remains one of the PDC’s most consistent and respected figures. A multiple major winner with Premier League titles under his belt, he has navigated the highs and lows of a long career, including public discussions about his mental health struggles. These candid moments off the board have only deepened fans’ appreciation for him as a grounded, relatable athlete. On stage, his no-nonsense approach and reliable scoring have earned him admiration, while incidents like this reveal a more playful, human dimension that endears him even further to the darts faithful.
This wasn’t Wade’s first brush with on-stage bodily function drama. Darts aficionados quickly recalled previous “Fartgate” episodes involving other players, most notably Gary Anderson’s memorable denial years earlier. Wade’s inventive velcro trainers defense added a fresh, memorable twist to the lore, keeping the conversation alive for days and even inspiring light-hearted warnings for future opponents.
In the high-stakes environment of professional darts, where concentration is paramount and the smallest distraction can cost crucial legs, Wade’s ability to power through the match unaffected and then address the aftermath with humor spoke volumes about his mental resilience. He secured the win against Rydz without letting the awkward acoustics derail his focus, then continued competing at a high level into the later stages.
As the PDC season progresses toward major events, fans will undoubtedly keep a keen eye—and ear—on James Wade. Whether delivering clinical checkouts or providing accidental comic relief from the oche, he continues to embody the spirit that makes darts such compelling viewing: elite skill blended with authentic, unfiltered humanity. The velcro explanation may have officially closed the case, but the laughter it generated lingers on, reminding everyone that even “The Machine” experiences those all-too-relatable everyday mishaps under the spotlight.
In the end, the unusual noise did nothing to diminish Wade’s standing in the sport. If anything, it reinforced his popularity as a player who wins legs with precision and wins over audiences with personality. As he prepares for the next challenges on the tour, one thing is certain: James Wade will keep throwing with the same focus and, if another unexpected sound should arise, he’ll likely have another witty line ready to defuse it. After all, in the world of darts, it’s not just about hitting the bullseye—it’s about rolling with whatever life (or your footwear) decides to add to the soundtrack.