Date of birth: 06/04/83
Home town: Aldershot, Hampshire

Wade is another player, like fifth seed Adrian Lewis, who looks set to figure prominently in the game's future.

'The Gladiator' took his first ranking title with victory in the 2002 Swiss Open while still a teenager and has more than delivered on that promise, particularly in the last 12 months.

He announced his name to a wide audience with a superb run at this year's televised World Matchplay where he beat a host of top names, including Denis Ovens and Roland Scholten, before losing to Phil Taylor in the final.

The 23-year-old has also recorded three nine-dart legs in minor competitions this season, and certainly arrives at the Circus Tavern as a potential dark horse in the bottom half.

His 2006 form has seen him quit his job as a mechanic to turn professional and the rewards should be plentiful.