WADE: DON’T MAKE ME THE VILLAIN

‘Scapegoat’ James: I was punished for being ill

JAMES WADE will brave the fancy-dress mob at Ally Pally tonight for the first time since he was hounded out and fined £5,000 “for being ill”.

The “Machine” remains arguably the best player never to win a world title – his latest blow-out erupting in controversy 12 months ago.

Wade was accused of intimidating second-round opponent Seigo Asada (both, below inset) with an excitable, in-your-face celebration that invaded the

Japanese outsider’s personal space.

Wade worsened the problem with some ill-judged remarks in his post-match

TV interview, when he bragged:

“I kept giving it to him. I wanted to hurt him in his face. I did it for my son and a bit for the UK.” Wade, 36, apologised within hours, blaming his behaviour on a “hypomania episode” relating to his long-running battle against bipolar illness. But it didn’t stop the crowds turning against him as he slumped to a shock 4-3 defeat by Geordie underdog Ryan Joyce in the fourth round. The Darts Regulatory Authority fined him £5,000 after he refused to be examined by an independent psychiatrist, and Wade (left) said: “I’ve had six years of seeing psychiatrists – and I’m sick of it.” Now back at the William Hill PDC world championship, he claims darts authorities should provide more help for players with mental-health issues as they play for high stakes in feverish atmospheres.

Wade said: “I’d rather not talk about what happened last year. I was punished for being ill. If that is the way the public want to be – and that’s how the DRA want to be – so be it.

“What have I learnt from it? That there is no support there and when it happens, it happens.

“A lot of other sports are sorted – especially in cricket. England’s cricketers have a good, established support network for mental health issues.

“I went to a meeting in London where one person from every sport was represented, and a lot of them are very fortunate.

“You try to deal with it, but there is still not enough forgiveness when people make mistakes. You try to push the boundaries, but it’s hard work.

“If a higher-profile person than me had a turn like I did, there would be support, hugs and kisses. I was used as the scapegoat to be Mr Evil at Christmas.”

In fairness to the PDC, who have a duty of care to their elite players, Wade is one of the crown jewels and they monitor his welfare diligently.

And the PDPA union has introduced a range of welfare initiatives, with mental health a priority, but chairman Peter Manley was disappointed that only eight players turned up to a seminar this year where ex-england football captain Tony Adams (above) was guest speaker.

Wade admitted: “I think everyone is their own worst enemy, but maybe I amplify it a bit more than others.

“When I go back to Ally Pally, I’ll have to get on with it, but there are far worse people out there on the streets.

“I’m not as highly-strung as I used to be. All the talk of me being the best player never to win the world championship niggles me – but I am far from done and far from finished.”