From Surrey to Stardom: A Darts Prodigy's Journey

James Wade MBE, the Surrey-born darts phenomenon ranked world No.5, has revealed how receiving diagnoses for bipolar disorder and ADHD at age 27 became a turning point in both his career and personal life. The 8-time major winner, known as 'The Machine', sat down with BBC Sport to discuss mental health challenges in elite sports.

Career Highlights & Challenges

• 20-year professional career with £2.5+ million in earnings
• 11 televised PDC titles including World Matchplay (2007)
• Youngest player to win a PDC major (24 years old)

The Diagnosis That Changed Everything Wade described his pre-diagnosis struggles:

"I'd compensate by being the class clown - making people laugh to mask not understanding social cues. The mood swings? I thought every athlete experienced that intensity."

Mental Health Advocacy Work As Bipolar UK ambassador since 2016, Wade:

• Funds research through exhibition matches
• Lobbies for better mental health support in sports
• Shares coping mechanisms with young athletes

Performance & Perseverance Wade credits these strategies for maintaining elite performance:

The Soundtrack of Resilience His iconic walk-on song I'm Still Standing (Elton John) reflects:

• 3 career comebacks after ranking drops
• Overcoming 2021 health scare
• Balancing fatherhood with 30+ annual tournaments

Future Goals The 40-year-old aims to:

1. Establish mental health first aid training for dart academies
2. Partner with ADHD UK for athlete screening programs
3. Develop youth outreach through local Ash Vale clubs

By the Numbers

• 15%: Estimated elite athletes with undiagnosed mental health conditions
• £9.8m: Annual UK economic cost of bipolar disorder (Bipolar UK)
• 200+ Schools reached through Wade's awareness campaigns

Wade concludes: "This sport gave me purpose when I felt lost. Now I want every athlete struggling in silence to know help exists - your diagnosis could be the first step to greatness."