“Barry tells a lot of great stories… you just think, ‘Maybe, maybe not”: James Wade recalls Hearn predicting £1million World Championship prize 15 years ago

James Wade opened his 2025 Players Championship Finals campaign with a gritty victory in Minehead, overcoming a stubborn fightback and the famously deliberate pace of opponent Mickey Mansell to move into the next round.Wade, ever honest about both his strengths and frustrations, admitted afterwards that the match was far from straightforward — not because of the darts thrown, but because of the tempo they were thrown at during the Players Championship Finals.

“He’s hard graft,” Wade said after the match. “If he plays normal pace, it’s quite a simple game. But Mickie plays at such a slow pace — a lot of people struggle against it. I’m not the only one.”
Despite the challenges, Wade got over the line, though he was left “a little bit disheartened” after his post-match handshake wasn’t reciprocated. “It is what it is,” he added.

Longevity, consistency and a “boring formula”

Wade’s appearance at this year’s event marks his uninterrupted run at the tournament since 2009 — a feat unparalleled in the modern era. When asked what keeps him going after so many seasons at the top level, Wade gave a typically understated response.

“I don’t really know, to be honest. As stupid as the stupid does. I’m told to do something and I do it, sometimes to the best of my abilities. And when it’s not to the best of my abilities, I’m still trying hard. I think that’s quite a boring formula that’s not a million miles away.”

Pressed on whether he undersells himself, Wade laughed off the suggestion, joking about “disservice” and “disjustice” before insisting that his achievements aren’t forgotten — as long as they’re properly publicised. “It’s only forgotten about if people like you don’t publicise it.”

Credit, respect and ‘causing pain’ on the oche

In a later exchange, Wade pushed back at the idea he feels underappreciated.
“I didn’t say I don’t get enough credit — that was your words,” he pointed out. Instead, he said, it simply comes down to who pays close enough attention to understand what he’s achieved.

“I’m still going. Still causing people pain and injustice while I keep winning games,” he added with a grin.

This season alone Wade has been the only player to beat both Luke Littler and Luke Humphries — the world’s top two — in major ranking events, and he’s appeared in two major finals. Whether others talk about it or not doesn’t seem to bother him. “If they want to talk about me, they can. If not, they can talk about everyone else.”

Santa, £1 Million and memories of Barry Hearn

Away from the media narratives, Wade’s attention is firmly on the festive season — at least half-seriously.
“More importantly, we’ve got Santa coming up, right? That’s way more important than any darts,” he joked. “If we’ve been good boys and girls, Santa will come and visit us.”

But with the World Championship looming, and a record £1 million winner’s prize on the line, Wade reflected on how far the sport has come. He recalled Barry Hearn predicting a seven-figure prize more than 15 years ago during a conversation in South Africa.

“He said, ‘World Championship, a million pounds to the winner.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, okay.’ Barry tells a lot of great stories… you just think, ‘Maybe, maybe not.’ And then all of a sudden he’s got this big smile: ‘Million pounds to the winner.’ He did what he wanted to do and I don’t think he’s finished yet.”

Wade also praised Hearn’s impact on his career and the sport’s growth, while joking that if Hearn lived to 150 the prize fund would probably reach “100 million.”

The one missing trophy

The World Championship remains the only major title not yet on Wade’s CV. Asked what would matter more — the trophy or the cheque — he didn’t hesitate to acknowledge the appeal of the prize money.

“Definitely a lot of money. Money helps obviously — would be nice. No one wants to say no to a million pounds at the beginning of the new year.”
But he stressed that every title still carries the same weight for him. “It’s all as vitally important to me as the next one.”

As he moves deeper into the tournament, Wade once again finds himself blending experience, stubborn competitiveness and trademark dry humour — qualities that have kept him at the elite level for nearly two decades.

And if his warning is anything to go by, he’s far from finished: “I’m still going… still causing people pain.”