WILLIAM HILL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Wade: I’m fighting a battle against myself

‘THE MACHINE’ APOLOGISES AFTER ‘BULLYING’ ASADA

And, as social media delivered its withering verdict, Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle branded the Aldershot left-hander’s behaviour “bullying” and “unacceptable”.

Stunned by the backlash, Wade issued a suitably humble apology overnight, saying: “I would like to take this opportunity to apologise sincerely for my actions last night.

“Seigo Asada is a great player and I would like to say sorry to him, the fans and the PDC.

“Anyone who has followed my professional career will know this was very out of character for me and I am very disappointed in myself with the way I acted both on stage and in my interviews after the match.

“I was fighting a battle with myself before I even got on the stage due to a hypo-mania episode, which can happen to me at any time, and no one is more upset than I am.

“I would like to apologise again and I hope people can understand how remorseful I am.”

Wade had earlier claimed he was fired up to “win at all costs”, which rarely has a happy ending in sport.

As Justin Pipe found last year after he was accused of deliberately coughing to distract Kiwi qualifier Bernie Smith, crowds at Alexandra Palace can be a unforgiving bunch.

Pipe was roundly booed as he lost 4-0 to Phil Taylor in his next match and Wade may find his conduct against Asada is held against him.

As well as being the best player never to win the world title, Wade is engaging company.

When he married his walk-on girl Sammi Marsh and they welcomed baby son Arthur into the world 10 weeks ago, the pieces of Wade’s personal life appeared to be falling into place.

And back-to-back TV titles at the European Championship and World Series finals last month gave his career fresh impetus.

But Wade’s mission to win major tournaments as the premise for his son enjoying a comfortable upbringing will be shortlived if he carries on like he did against Asada.

The “Ninja” is so respectful of the PDC, and all those who subscribe to its fancy-dress parade, that he bowed SIX times when chairman Barry Hearn congratulated him on his performance.

For most of us, bowing just once before Bazza is enough.

LUKE HUMPHRIES vowed he could become William Hill World Darts champion after a sizzling 3-1 defeat of No.18 seed Stephen Bunting.Humphries (right) triumphed 3-1 and secured his victory with a brilliant checkout of 88. He had led 2-0 before 2014 Lakeside world champion Bunting came back, only for the Newbury star to take control again. “A lot of people are saying I can’t, but I can go on and win this,” said qualifier Humphries, playing at his second world championship. Steve Beaton, the 1996 Lakeside champion and No.20 seed, is also out after losing 3-0 to Chris Dobey. OUT OF ORDER James Wade has apologised for celebrating in the face of Seigo Asada (left)