James Wade was crowned the Professional Darts Corporation's Player of the Year at the PDC Annual Awards Dinner on Wednesday night.
Player handed two accolades
James Wade was crowned the Professional Darts Corporation's Player of the Year at the PDC Annual Awards Dinner on Wednesday night.
Wade, the Stan James World Matchplay and SkyBet World Grand Prix winner in 2007, picked up two top trophies at the ceremony at The Dorchester Hotel in London.
The 24-year-old, who picked up the Young Player of the Year award 12 months ago, was voted the PDPA Players' Player of the Year, as well as picking up the coveted PDC Player of the Year title, rewarding his rise to third in the world.
Wade, from Aldershot, beat Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Champion John Part, Blue Square UK Open and Las Vegas Desert Classic winner Raymond van Barneveld and Premier League Darts champion Phil Taylor to the top award.
"James has continued to make massive strides over the past 12 months and is an example all players can follow," said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.
"He is hugely talented, has shown enormous dedication and the attitude which I'm sure will see him earn much more success in the coming years."
Other achievements
Kirk Shepherd, the 21-year-old from Ramsgate, earned the PDC Young Player of the Year title after becoming the youngest ever finalist in a World Championship recently.
Taylor - who won the inaugural PartyBets.com Grand Slam of Darts in November as well as the PDC US Open, PartyPoker.net German Darts Championship, five non-televised events and, for a third successive year, the Premier League Darts title - was the PDC Fans Player of the Year, following a vote on the PDC's official website, www.planetdarts.tv.
Van Barneveld was rewarded for his success away from the television cameras with the PDC Best Floor Player, following his wins in six Players Championship and UK Open Regional Finals in the past year.
Kevin McDine's superb display to defeat Wade in the PartyBets.com Grand Slam of Darts in November, when he averaged almost 107 in a superb second round win, saw him receive the PDC Televised Performance of the Year.
Mervyn King, who has reached 23rd in the PDC Order of Merit inside a year, was named as the PDC Best Newcomer.
Recognition
Meanwhile, legendary Sky Sports commentators Sid Waddell and Dave Lanning were inducted into the PDC Hall of Fame to recognise their contributions to darts in over 30 years of broadcasting.
Jason Clark and Gary Barnett joined the PDC's Nine-Dart Club, receiving commemorative silver pin badges following their achievements in hitting nine-dart legs on the PDC circuit.
