Former World Grand Prix champion reveals he almost quit darts in brutally honest interview

A FORMER World Grand Prix champion is aiming for a second success despite coming close to packing it all in last year.

Jonny Clayton, who won the tournament in 2021, booked his spot in Wednesday's last 16 clashes with a win over Ritchie Edhouse on Monday.

Clayton, 50, seems to be in fine form in Leicester for the tournament, but it hasn't been an easy journey to get back to the oche after a tough year in 2023.

'The Ferret' opened up on what has been a difficult 12 months after he lost his father, so much so that he almost walked away from darts altogether.

Speaking after his win over Edhouse, he said: "I enjoyed it up there tonight.

"My darts are going good, so hopefully, they can keep going well for the rest of the week.

"For the last year I've not been bothered at all, but there's a bit of fire in the belly again, I'm hungry.

"I'm a dart player so I want to be the best in my sport.

"But you know, I have to be honest, in the last year it could have been packing up time.

"But listen, I'm back enjoying it, I got a smile on my face and I don't like losing. So that's a good thing for 'The Ferret."

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Clayton's revitalised attitude towards darts could help him succeed at the oche this week as he battles it out for the £120,000 grand prize for Sunday's champion.

The Welshman will take on Ross Smith on Wednesday with an eye on a place in the quarter-finals - something that would pocket him a minimum of £25,000 in prize money.