James Wade

THE sport's most successful left-hander, James has enjoyed a fine decade at the top level to establish himself amongst the darts' top stars.

Having initially emerged as a teenage mechanic, Wade joined the PDC circuit in 2004 and became a full-time professional two years later, with the decision paying dividends as he reached his first televised final at the 2006 World Matchplay.

Wade also landed three nine-dart finishes on the PDC circuit in 2006 to show his superb ability, but made his major breakthrough the following year by winning both the World Matchplay and World Grand Prix titles.

He has since won the UK Open in 2008 and 2011, the Premier League in 2009, the internet-streamed Championship League Darts and a second World Grand Prix in 2010 and the 2014 Masters title, when he produced a remarkable comeback from 9-2 down to defeat Mervyn King 11-10.

Alongside his televised successes, Wade has been the runner-up in five World Matchplays, both the Premier League and Grand Slam of Darts on two occasions and in the Las Vegas Desert Classic and World Grand Prix.

The left-hander has hit televised nine-dart finishes at the 2008 Grand Slam of Darts and in the 2014 World Grand Prix - when both he and Robert Thornton achieved double-start nine-dart finishes in a historic contest - while he was on the receiving end of Phil Taylor's unprecedented two nine-darters during the 2010 Premier League final.

Wade reached the finals of the 2014 World Grand Prix, 2015 World Matchplay and 2016 Grand Slam of Darts, losing out to Michael Van Gerwen on each occasion.

In October 2018 Wade ended his four-year wait for a televised PDC title by lifting the European Championship crown by defeating Simon Whitlock 11-8 in a gripping final in Dortmund.

Wade lifted his second televised title in the space of seven days with a dramatic 11-10 win over Michael Smith in the final of the World Series of Darts Finals in Vienna, crediting both victories to new-born son Arthur James Wade.