Darts player Jonny Clayton reveals he almost gave up darts following the tragic death of his father, who passed away suddenly in July 2023.

Darts player Jonny Clayton has revealed he almost gave up darts following the death of his father last year.

World number seven Clayton secured his place in the fourth round of the World Darts Championship after surviving a late charge from Daryl Gurney to win 4-3 at Alexandra Palace.

But after his triumphant victory, an emotional Clayton admitted that he was almost done with the sport when his father, John, passed away suddenly in July 2023.

He said, 'It's over, I won't lie to you. I had no interest, I didn't want to play, I didn't want to travel. It didn't mean anything to me.

'Darts are my hobby. For some of these young people it is their job, but it has always been my hobby.

When I lost my father (and I don't want to talk about it anymore because it's old news), it hurt me. He was my inspiration to continue playing. I said, 'That's it, I don't want to do it anymore.'

Darts player Johnny Clayton has revealed he almost gave up darts following the death of his father last year.

World number seven Clayton secured his place in the fourth round of the World Darts Championship after surviving a late charge from Daryl Gurney to win 4-3 at Alexandra Palace.

After his triumphant victory, an emotional Clayton admitted that he was almost done with the sport when his father, John, passed away suddenly in July 2023.

The former Pontyberem plasterer, who has just turned 50, went on to say that he is far from his best despite claiming victories over Mickey Mansell and Gurney in his first matches at the World Championships.

The Welsh player bravely admitted that his father's death still inspires emotion as he struggles to cope with his passing, but revealed that he returned to oche because he wants to win for his wife and children.

“The guys were flying to Australia or New Zealand for the World Series and I lost my dad the morning of that flight,” Clayton said.

“At the time, the boys were away for three weeks and being home gave me too much time to think.

'I had lost everything. That was it. I thought, I can't be bothered.

'And at the beginning of this year, I was rubbish, I couldn't put anything together. But when you have a family that looks up to you and friends that believe in you, it means a lot, so I said I'd give it a chance.

'You're doing a hobby you're good at: try again. That's what I'm trying to do.

Clayton later revealed that he returned to the sport because he wants to win for his wife and children.

'In the second half of this year, my darts started to wake up, I won a ProTour and sank them deep. Little things like that happen and make you believe.

'I couldn't even tell you when it was, but you felt good, I played better.

'I have faith there. I want to earn it for my wife and children. That's what you look at. It is a hobby and I hope to continue doing it for a long time.”