Wade Ditches Australia for Mickey Mouse – And Honestly? Good for Him

By Lewis Barnett 11 August, 2025 5 mins read 210 Views

So James Wade just told the PDC to stuff it and went to Disneyland Paris instead of the Australian Darts Masters.

I'm sitting here scrolling through his Facebook post – yeah, the man still uses Facebook like it's 2012 – and there's Wade posing with his Donald Duck backpack looking happier than I've seen him in months. Meanwhile, Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Gerwyn Price are probably sweating their way through Australian summer heat right now.

Audio Summary of the Article

Twenty Years of Saying Yes

Here's the thing that got me. Wade told Dartsnews: "For the last 20 years, I have put the PDC before James, before my family, and before relatives. I've done enough for them, I think."

Damn. That hits different when you think about it.

This is a guy who's been grinding the circuit since most of us were still figuring out how to throw a dart without hitting the wall. Michael van Gerwen and Nathan Aspinall also skipped Australia, but they didn't get the grief Wade's getting online. Wonder why that is...

The "Disrespectful" Drama That Started It All

This whole thing traces back to Wade's World Matchplay final against Luke Littler last month. Kid won 18-13, became the youngest champion in tournament history, adn Wade... well, Wade just walked off.

No handshake photo op. No standing around while cameras flashed. Just gone.

Sky Sports went mental about it. Chris Murphy called it "disrespectful" – said Wade should've stood there clapping like a good little runner-up. Michael Bridge piled on too, saying they "would have liked to have heard from him."

Listen, I get it from a TV perspective. But the man just lost a major final and was dealing with his own head space.

Mental Health Isn't a Soundbite

Murphy did mention Wade's mental health struggles, which... okay, at least he acknowledged it. But then he basically said Wade should schedule his breakdowns better for press convenience.

"Maybe he should be approaching the PDC and asking about facilitating his press conference when he returns for the next round in a better frame of mind."

Right. Because that's how mental health works. Just pencil it in for Tuesday at 3pm.

Family Over Everything (Finally)

Wade's Facebook post was pure dad energy: "Morning all, we have had the best family holiday away at Disneyland Paris. Thanks for such a great time!! We all loved it and it was very well needed to spend some quality time with the family."

The double exclamation marks. The genuine excitement about his Donald Duck bag. This is a 42-year-old man who just remembered what matters.

"I won't put darts before my family," he said. And honestly? About time.

The Real Score

Wade confirmed this was teh first time he'd ever turned down a PDC invitation. First time in two decades.

Think about that. Twenty years of saying yes to every tournament, every appearance, every obligation. Missing birthdays, anniversaries, school plays – all for the sport that just spent weeks calling him disrespectful for having feelings.

So yeah, James Wade chose Mickey Mouse over the oche this time. And you know what? The PDC will survive without him for one weekend.

His family memories won't wait for the next break in the calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I practice darts effectively if I'm playing alone?

Solo practice doesn't have to be boring—in fact, it's often more productive than casual games with friends. The key is having structured practice routines that target specific skills rather than just throwing randomly at the board.

Wait, so how exactly do you score in darts? I always get confused.

Dart scoring is straightforward once you get the hang of it! The standard game (501 or 301) starts with that number, and you subtract whatever you hit with each throw. The goal is to reach exactly zero, with your final dart landing in a double.

My darts keep bouncing out of the board. What am I doing wrong?

Bounce-outs are incredibly frustrating, but they're usually caused by one of a few common issues. First, check your dartboard—if it's old and dried out, even the best throws will struggle to stick. Quality sisal boards should last years, but cheaper paper-wound boards harden quickly. If you can press your thumbnail into the board and it doesn't leave a small indent, it's too hard.

What's the standard height for hanging a dartboard?

The standard height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) from the floor to the bullseye. This measurement is official across professional darts organizations worldwide, including the PDC and BDO. It's designed to create a fair playing field for players of different heights.

How do I improve my dart throwing technique?

Improving your dart technique comes down to consistency and deliberate practice. First, establish a comfortable stance—feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward. Your weight should be balanced and stable, not leaning forward or back.

What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?

Steel tip and soft tip darts represent two distinct branches of the sport, each with their own equipment, venues, and sometimes even scoring systems. The most obvious difference is in the point: steel tips have metal points for traditional bristle boards, while soft tips use flexible plastic points for electronic boards.

Statistics

Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.

External Links

How To

Taking Your Game Public

Playing at home is one thing; throwing in a crowded, noisy bar is another beast entirely. My first league night was a disaster—I couldn't focus with people walking behind me and the pressure of teammates watching. Now I wear headphones with low music between throws and have a specific pre-throw routine to center myself.