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The Irish Sun

‘People didn't realise I was really ill' – Darts star, 42, feared he'd never play again after health scare

JAMES WADE feared he'd never play darts again after suffering a string of illnesses. The Aldershot hotshot claimed the Advertisement 1 James Wade has opened up about his health struggles Credit: Getty It was Wade's first ranking title since 2022 and the 19th Players Championship Event in his stellar career. 'The Machine' took out a brilliant 110 checkout to take a 4-2 lead against 'Shaggy'. The World No.10 followed this up with a cracking 120 finish to gain a 5-2 advantage over Wade, a ten-time major winner, pearled in a ten-darter to go 6-3 up. Advertisement READ MORE IN DARTS Wade sealed the deal with another cracking 110 outshout as he averaged 101.52 and pinged in eight out of nine doubles for the victory. Former World Matchplay champ Wade opened up about He said: 'It's been a bloody long time that is for sure. 'I'm really pleased and happy. I felt I have just been lucky the last two games. Advertisement Most read in Darts Breaking 'Everyone forgets I had pancreatitis. It's a serious health condition and I went from world number three to plummeting down and out of the rankings. 'I just think everyone takes their health for granted. Peter Wright stunned after James Wade farts during game 'The public and probably the organisation didn't realise I was really ill. 'I went from world No3 to 27. It wasn't because my darting ability disappeared, it was because my health disappeared. Advertisement 'So give me a little bit of a break. 'Today I felt really proud of myself because I've never been a press favourite or an organisation favourite. 'But you know when I've gone against what I've gone against, not knowing if I'm going to play darts again, today is a milestone. 'I've put myself under quite a bit of pressure over the last 12 months so today it has been really nice.' Advertisement The 42-year-old smashed in two ton plus checkouts to overcome Wade hit seven out of 13 doubles to record a routine 7-3 triumph against Andrew Gilding in the last four.