Phil Taylor witnessed the only time James Wade 'was gone' during darts match as Luke Littler World Matchplay row continues

Darts icon Phil Taylor previously revealed the one time James Wade admitted he ‘gave up’ amid recent backlash about his conduct after losing to Luke Littler in the World Matchplay final.

Littler, 18, became only the fifth player to complete darts’ triple crown when he beat Wade 18-13 in Blackpool on July 27.

Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and Luke Humphries are the four other players to have achieved the coveted feat.

Wade raced into an early 5-0 lead but then won just eight more legs despite finishing with an average of more than 101. But Littler was simply too good for the 42-year-old on this occasion as the teenager hit 17 maximums and completed 44 per cent of his attempted doubles to take the crown.

Following the match, the beaten Wade appeared to leave the stage while Littler collected the Phil Taylor Trophy. The elder of the pair had also complained about the hectic crowd during the contest.

Just seconds after Littler wrapped up his win, Wade embraced the 18-year-old and whispered something in his ear, which momentarily caused him to stop.

Luke Littler with the Phil Taylor Trophy (Credit:Getty)

Speaking after his triumph, Littler revealed (via TungstenTales) exactly what Wade said to him.

Littler explained: "He said, 'Well played, brilliant tournament and well done to you'.

"He's definitely got a lot better since the UK Open. Obviously, I had it my way in Minehead, and he had his in the first five legs [tonight], and then I got myself back in it and picked up the trophy."

Some fans criticised Wade for not entertaining the media following his defeat, which is what most players do – although this is seen as etiquette rather than protocol, according to The Sun.

And despite being a legend of the sport, Wade can sometimes let his emotions get the better of him, as well as providing comical moments such as passing wind like he did in a recent match against Peter Wright in June of this year.

James Wade, Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Berneveld in 2013 (Credit:Getty)

Back in 2013, Taylor revealed that Wade admitted that he ‘gave up’ following a match against “the Power” at the World Grand Prix in Dublin.

Taylor brushed aside Wade at the semi-final stage and spoke to Sky Sports, relayed by Sports Mole, after the match.

"I feel good," said Taylor. "But James didn't click. He was gone. It's the first time I've ever seen him gone. He told me afterwards that he just gave up."