WELL TOILED MACHINE

He's had a lengthy career full of ups and downs and James Wade is still going strong at the Ally Pally

- MIKE WALTERS

JAMES WADE has been written off more than a stock car in a demolition derby but, as his new walkon song goes, he's still standing.

In the Professional Darts Corporation era, only two players Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen - have won more than the Machine's 11 TV majors.

He is the great survivor of the circuit, rolling with the punches of bipolar illness and slipping down the rankings before hauling himself back into the top 16.

Wade, 41, is a 100-1 long shot to win the Paddy Power PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace, where he is a four-time semi-finalist, when he faces Jermaine Wattimena or Stefan Bellmont today.

Two years ago, he was taken ill at the European Open in Germany with symptoms including a racing heart, dizziness and high blood pressure. No wonder he has adopted Elton John's anthem for the upright. He's still standing, yeah, yeah, yeah.