LOW FLYER
I’m a former darts world champion… now I earn £9-an-hour stacking shelves at Co-op
A FORMER world darts champion has traded in his sporting career to stack shelves at his local Co-op.
After a neck injury forced him to quit the sport, the champ took up a £9-per-hour job in Sheffield.
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Retired "John Boy" Walton, 58, was previously known for winning the 2001 BDO World Darts Championship.
He made the unlikely career move in 2018, saying: “It’s a complete 180, but I love it.”
BBC host Dan Walker revealed the champ’s new life on Twitter as he recognised him while shopping at the store.
Walton told the Sunday : “We looked at each other, we both recognised each other – it was quite surreal.
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“I couldn’t remember his name at the time but he knew mine.
“He asked me where the ice cream cones were but we had sold out.”
The dad-of-five, known for using Rednex hit Cotton Eye Joe as his entrance music, won the 2001 title at the Lakeside Country Club in Surrey.
He took home the £46,000 prize despite the odds - stacked against him as a 50-1 outsider.
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He beat former world darts champion Ted Hankey.
But his darts career came to an abrupt end.
He said: “I couldn’t play in tournaments because I wasn’t cutting it. I’ve been at the Co-op for two years now.
"I work part-time, one or two days a week. It’s not a financial thing, it’s just... to keep me occupied.
“I’ve struck up a load of friendships, and it’s nice to give something back to the community.”
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