James Wade speaks out on UK Open run after Luke Humphries ‘licking’ controversy

has spoken out after the bizarre incident where he was accused of licking during their nail-biting UK Open quarter-final clash. ‘The Machine’ triumphed over the World No.1 in a thrilling match at Minehead that culminated in a tense final leg. But before the darts flew, Wade seemed to extend his tongue towards Humphries’ neck as they exchanged greetings. As the decisive leg approached, the pair eschewed the customary handshake or fist bump, with Humphries opting for a shoulder bump instead.

After his loss, ‘Cool Hand’ expressed his displeasure in a now-removed post on X, stating: “Everyone loves to see people be a bad loser but I’m generally one of the best losers in the sport. I wasn’t going to give someone, who didn’t deserve my respect after what he was doing through the game, a hug and be all happy about it that’s just my honesty.”

In his column for , Wade reflected on his UK Open journey and the controversial match with Humphries, commenting: “What a weekend! I said here last week that I if I got past the fourth round, I felt confident of going deep into the UK Open and so it proved to be.

“From that comfortable win in the fourth round, my confidence just grew with every match and although I fell at the final stage it was still a magical weekend. Even when faced with going out to Cameron Menzies, and again in the quarter-finals against Luke Humphries, I still retained the belief I would go through.

“As I said after the Humphries match, it’s not about the big 100+ averages, it’s about timing things at the right time. Now because I aimed that at the young players, I got quite a bit of stick, but I stand by what I said.

“It was intended as advice from someone who has been around the block a bit when it comes to the major tournaments. By not fixating on averages but instead focusing on opportunities and taking them when they come your way, then you can win big in the televised tournaments.

“If you don’t then experienced players like me, and plenty of others, will punish you for it. The reason I have done so well when I have played in the UK Open, is timing it right to perform at my best in the big moments.

“I did it in particular in the Luke Humphries match, where in the last three legs I hit six 180s, had something close to a 140 average and ultimately finished my doubles when those opportunities were given to me.

“I also think it’s about how you deal with pressure, absorb it and ultimately thrive on it. I thrive under pressure and at the weekend when the pressure was applied against Menzies, Humphries, and to a slightly lesser extent the Owen match, I used it to my advantage and it helped me to get across the line.

“Now some might say – and many did on social media – what happened to thriving on pressure and focusing in the moment in the final. As I said in my interview afterwards, hands up I got smashed to bits but by a phenomenal performance from Luke Littler.

“There were some mitigating factors – the back spasm I had and accidentally stabbing my hand with my darts – but these are not excuses as there are none.

“Using a boxing analogy I felt I had ‘emptied the tank’ in those earlier rounds and by the final it caught up with me -not a place you want to be in when you are facing, on current form, the best player in the world.

“While a fantastic fourth UK Open title was not to be, the performance in Minehead was a huge step in the right direction. After a few well-earned days relaxing with the family, next up is the Belgian Open.

“The aim in Belgium is to make the quarters or semi-finals and get back to where I belong in the top ten in the order of merit. I am reluctant to say I am back, as I don’t think I ever really went away, but my performance in the UK Open was well timed – remember it’s all about the timing – and I look forward to building on it.”