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There’s only so much you can do to suppress a fart, but most people attempt to deal with that development as discretely as possibly when in the vicinity of others. However, pro darts player James Wade is not like most people after attracting some attention for his second flatulence-related incident at a match in less than a year.
The world of professional darts has started to gain a foothold in the United States in recent years thanks in no small part to teenage phenom Luke Littler, the Englishman who is the latest in a long line of dominant players hailing from the country where it was invented and popularized.
Darts culture in England is inextricably linked with the pubs where many players have honed their skills while throwing back some beers, an activity most seasoned drinkers know has the tendency to eventually produce some rumbling in your bowels.
People who play darts for a living usually aren’t pounding pints while they’re playing (the Professional Darts Corporation, the preminent governing body, firmly outlaws the consumption and possession of alcohol during competitions), but that hasn’t stopped farts from becoming a bit of an issue more often than you’d think.
Last year, James Wade, who is currently ranked ninth in the world based on the PDC’s Order of Merit, was captured passing some serious gas following the conclusion of a match with Callan Rydz in September.
He was able to wait until that showdown concluded before letting one rip, but the same can’t be said for what transpired when he faced off against Peter Wright in the Players Championship 17 in Leicester on Tuesday.
Wade had fired off a trio of darts and headed to retrieve them from the board when viewers tuning into the match were treated to an unmistakable sound whose origins were confirmed when Wright stepped back and grimaced.
𝗚𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗔𝗠𝗠𝗘ⵑ 💨🤢
James Wade laat wéér een scheet, nu vlak voor Peter Wright 😅#ViaplayDarts pic.twitter.com/5tz1nQGEix— Viaplay Sport Nederland (@viaplaysportnl) June 18, 2025
Wade acknowledged what transpired by saying, “It slipped out. Give it a second,” and Wright eventually stepped up to the line after taking little bit of time to collect himself (and, presumably, let the odor dissipate); Wade ultimately got the 6-5 victory to advance to the quarterfinals but lost to Chris Dobey in the semis.
While Wade is the most prolific farter that pro darts has to offer, he isn’t the only one.
Another player accused Ron Meulenkamp of purposefully stinking up the stage to throw him off his game in 2024, while Gary Anderson and Wesley Harms found themselves engaged in “Fartgate” after neither of them took responsibility for the stench that permeated their match in 2018.