JAMES WADE is ‘still standing’ strong after rebuilding his career over the past two years following a scary health scare that shook him and his family.
The Machine fell ill and spent three nights in a German hospital after an episode backstage at the European Darts Open in Leverkusen in May 2022.
The dad-of-two, one of the sport’s most successful throwers, underwent a series of tests after he experienced a “racing heart, high blood pressure, nausea and dizziness”.
Severe dehydration was believed to be the cause of the illness but it was a worrying time for the Aldershot ace and all concerned.
Wade, 41, recalled: “I was rushed to hospital. This is not exaggerated but while I knew I was ill, I didn’t realise how ill I was.
“I had to make a phone call to my wife to say in the next six hours I’ll know if I’m going into intensive care or not.
“I was ill, really ill. The medics in Germany were absolutely brilliant. They have amazing medical people over there.
“They thought I was having a heart attack first of all. It was something else. I was really ill.
“The problem I have, where I can be fragile mentally, in terms of how I look at things and approach life, I really let it get to me upstairs.
“That was always my thought when I was going away: ‘How am I? Will I be alright?’
“Tests I had came back to say it wasn’t cancer. Which was a good thing.”
At that point, Wade was No.5 in the world and involved in the lucrative Premier League format.
Since then, he has not been back to the Prem and apart from one appearance in the 2023 European Championship final, he has tumbled down the rankings.
Over the past two years, he has gone out in the first hurdle of the Worlds, losing to Welshman Jim Williams in the 2023 tournament and then Canadian Matt Campbell last time.
Now up to 16th in the world, following two decent runs at the World Matchplay and World Grand Prix, he is living up to his walk-on music – I’m Still Standing by Elton John.
His return to Ally Pally, where he has never made the final despite 17 attempts, will be this afternoon against either speedy Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena or Swiss newbie Stefan Bellmont.
Wade, a winner of 11 PDC major titles, said: “Considering how bad I was at darts for 12 months after that, I don’t think it has taken me that long to get back to where I should be.
“I was flying, then all of a sudden you drop down to 24 or 26.
“My target at the beginning of this year had been to get into the top 10 in the world.
“I believe I will win another major in the next 12 months given the way I am playing.
“Everything is alright, probably playing some of the best darts at times.
“I have been lucky. I have earned good money. I am unfortunate that I am in the public eye when I am having a bad day on stage. That’s a negative.
“But you have got to think of those people that have ordinary lives. Some people cannot afford to get a doctor’s appointment, they have to wait for the NHS.
“I’m still standing – well, just about! A bit more gravity now. But it’s good.”
HEAVY downpours will bring six inches of rain in just hours as Brits brace for a “very wet and miserable” start to the week.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for parts of the UK today.
The forecaster has warned of a risk of flooding as up to 150mm of rain is set to fall across the next “24-36 hours”.
The warning has been in place covering the west of Scotland since 6pm on Sunday and remains in place until midday on Monday.
Travel disruption and flooding could hit areas where most rainfall is expected, with melting snow also causing river levels to rise.
Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said: “Over the next 24-36 hours, the rainfall totals really will be building up with widely half a month’s worth of rain falling across parts of the Highlands and even into northern areas of Argyll and Bute.”
Four flood warnings and five flood alerts had been issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on Sunday night.
The Met Office warning adds: “Rain will become persistent across parts of western Scotland during Sunday, continuing throughout Monday before easing later on Tuesday.
“70-100 mm of rain is likely to fall widely during this period but possibly over 150mm for some exposed hills and mountains.
“Rapid melting of lying snow will also contribute to any potential impacts.”
TODAY
Rain, some heavy will affect the north and west of Scotland, although Shetland should see bright spells and showers.
Elsewhere, mostly dry with skies brightening to give some sunny spells. Mild for most, though brisk winds, especially in the north.
TONIGHT
Rain will continue to affect northern and western Scotland, and perhaps Northern Ireland for a time.
Mostly dry elsewhere with clear spells, though becoming largely cloudy. Mild and breezy.
TUESDAY
Outbreaks of rain developing across many northern and western areas, heavy in places, and becoming increasingly windy here.
Mostly dry elsewhere with a few bright spells. Another mild day.
WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY
Overnight rain clearing to brighter weather with blustery showers on Wednesday.
Further rain in the south later, clearing Thursday morning.
Otherwise turning colder, with sunshine and showers later this week.
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DILLIAN WHYTE returned to the ring in Gibraltar on Sunday night to take on Ghanaian heavyweight Ebenezer Tetteh.
After seven action-packed rounds, Tetteh’s corner pulled him out but both men landed huge blows in an entertaining main event as the Body Snatcher picked up back-to-back wins in a year for the first time since 2019.
Whyte will now keep on his march up the heavyweight division with a huge 2025 in store.
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