Gerwyn Price has lifted the lid on a light-hearted moment that took place backstage after James Wade’s unusually long walk-on at a recent major event — a moment that left both players laughing despite the high-pressure atmosphere of the tournament.
Wade, known for his deliberate pace and composed demeanour, took noticeably longer than usual to make his entrance, sparking confusion among fans and commentators. But Price, who was preparing for his own match just minutes later, revealed he wasted no time teasing his fellow former world champion once Wade eventually made it off the stage.
According to Price, he jokingly asked Wade whether he had “got lost on the way in” or was “trying to make everyone wait,” a remark that Wade apparently took in good spirits. “I said to him, ‘Mate, were you doing a lap of the arena or what?’” Price revealed with a grin. “He just laughed and said it wasn’t his fault.”
Price explained that Wade had been delayed by a mix of crowd interaction and a minor staging issue, something that often happens during TV walk-ons but rarely lasts as long as it did that night. “James is one of the most experienced guys on the tour — he doesn’t get flustered,” Price said. “But that walk-on felt like it went on forever. I had to wind him up about it.”
Despite the joke, Price was quick to emphasise the respect between the two. “We all have our routines,” he added. “James is a class act. Whether it takes him ten seconds or ten minutes, he always comes ready to play.”
The Welsh star’s playful comments come at a time when tensions have been running high in several televised events, with walk-ons occasionally causing disagreements over timing, crowd noise and staging delays. Price, who has often been at the centre of lively atmospheres himself, said his exchange with Wade was a reminder that there is still plenty of humour behind the scenes.
“These tournaments are intense,” Price said. “It’s good to have a laugh now and again. And if someone gives you a moment to joke about — especially James — you take it.”
As for Wade, he reportedly brushed off the incident and went on to produce a composed performance on stage, proving that even a marathon walk-on can’t shake one of the sport’s most experienced heads.
