"We paid 57 quid, seagulls attacking us": James Wade's insight into day at Blackpool Pleasure Beach that costed a fortune

While James Wade’s electric presence on the oche continues to headline the World Matchplay, it’s his remarks about family life, future plans in darts, and a memorable day off with his children that reveal a deeper side to the man known as "The Machine".

A recent Facebook post from Wade captured a treasured family moment during the tournament week: “Great day yesterday, even better day today. Spending time with Sammi and the boys is so important to me and having them here in Blackpool this week is perfect.” But Wade’s trademark humour soon won through as he described the reality of that day: overpriced food, seagull attacks, and tantrums from Arthur and Alfie: “Arthur wanted this, Alfie wanted that… the only time they were quiet was when they were eating fish and chips that was overpriced in the park.” “We paid 57 quid… rotten chips, rotten fish… seagulls attacking us… and then a row over a £16 car park fee.” Despite the chaos, Wade grinned: “Say it again tomorrow? 100% not a chance.”

Wade—father, player, family man—didn’t shy away from the emotional price of a two‑decade career in darts: “I’ve got young children, and they’re the most important thing in the world… We sacrifice everything for our children, our family, the whole lot… we pay the most ultimate price: time, because we’re only here for so long.”

He added with characteristic candour: “When you have children it ruins 30% of your life, but it makes a lot of other things great.”

At 42, Wade says he’s far from the finish line: “I just want to have probably a last five maybe… I want to have five to ten years at this because I’ll do whatever I need to do… I’ve done it for over 20 odd years.”

That ambition is fuelled by more than just legacy. It’s about providing for family and offering his children the childhood he missed. “I want to give them what I haven’t had… a start where they won’t have to go away and do anything… we just want to give to our children what we haven’t had.”

Behind the scenes, Wade has also balanced family time with career decisions: “Maybe if I played the game and said the right things, I would have been invited to more World Series. I’d love to travel the world with the family… but I turned down going to Australia because we’ve got a holiday planned to Disneyland.”

When asked if days such as his Blackpool family outing help him re‑charge, he replied: “It drove me bloody mad… typical dad…” before conceding with a smile, “That’s what families do, isn’t it?”

Ultimately, his love for darts and dedication to his family go hand in hand. “We pay the most ultimate price for time… I’ve done over 20 years, and then after that I’ll probably waste a lot of my children’s growing up. But yeah, I just want to go home to my children. But I want to give them what I haven't had.”