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The Unicorn wonder kid demolished Chris Mason 16-4 with a quite sensational display of tungsten sharp-shooting.

And all the experts agree that Wade is destined to dominate the sport over the next 20 years.

ERIC BRISTOW: “I cannot fault his game. For 15 legs, it’s as good as I have seen from someone so young.”

SID WADDELL: “I have been saying for two years that James Wade will be a World Champion. After today, I feel vindicated!”

ROD HARRINGTON: “James has come of age this week. We have just witnessed something very special.”

There was nothing that Chris Mason could do to stop what turned into a ‘Darting Demolition Derby’.

Wade was averaging 118 after three legs, 106 after five, 103 after 10 legs and finished with an average of 97.5

The 23-year-old hit eight 180s and banged in three ton plus finishes. There is no doubt that James Wade is the real deal….and don’t forget this is his debut in Blackpool. At the start of the week he was 100/1 with the bookies but he looks a good bet now. Even Phil Taylor would have struggled to cope with Wade in this mood.

Wade started with a 12-dart leg and he hit three 180s in the first three legs of the match. Remember, it is only two weeks ago that he packed his job in to become a full-time professional! Well, Wade is now guaranteed at least £10,000, which will be the biggest pay day of his career….and also at least 20 ranking points, which will take him to the verge of the world’s top 16.

Mason didn’t play that badly but he had no answers. He hit four maximum’s and was forced to check out 138 and 146 to win two of his four legs.

Wade was not surprisingly very emotional after his win. “I think I am lost for words! I always knew I was capable of producing performances like that when it really matters. This is my best day in darts but I hope I am saying that again on Friday after the semi-finals and on Saturday, after the final!”

From 7-3 in front, Wade won nine of the next 10 legs to clinch this sensational victory.

Mason said: “James is the future of the sport. Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and say you were beaten by the better player. Today is one of those days.”

Watch out for more news from Blackpool here on the Unicorn website later on Thursday night, when we will be rounding up all the quarter-final action, including Phil Taylor’s eagerly awaited match against Dennis Priestley.

And don’t forget to click on Sid’s Diary and PYKE SPEAK at the top of the home page for more opinion and comment from Blackpool.

BY STUART PYKE