'I don't think I'm anyone special, I'm just Jonny' - Jonny Clayton speaks after emotional return to Wales for an exhibition

Four-time singles Major winner and recent World Cup finalist, Jonny Clayton has spoken about how thankful he is for the support of his home nation after returning to Cardiff for an exhibition last night.

Whilst speaking to Polly James for an interview outside the event for the MODUS Sports exhibition, Clayton was quick to thank his fans for all their support, regardless of their nationality. ‘The Ferret’ added that it was actually a massive surprise to him just how many people have followed his career — with some of them actually knowing more about it than he does — during a moment that caused a chuckle from both the player and interviewer.

Clayton had plenty to say whilst speaking to Polly James:

“In the meet and greet, you’re there and you don’t realise how many actually follow your career, kind of thing. They’re coming up and they’re telling me about my darting history and I’m thinking, wow, you know more than me, kind of thing, you know".

When asked about his influence on others — even causing some fans to get his nickname and signature tattooed on them — Jonny said: “I don’t think I’m anyone special, I’m just Jonny. I’m never going to change that. I treat people as they treat me. But to see something like that, I’m thinking, wow, you know, what’s happened to you guys?” — to which Clayton and James shared a laugh.

James then went on to ask Clayton about the World Cup of Darts, where he and his partner Gerwyn Price suffered defeat to the impressive Northern Irish team: “What a game, you know, the last-leg decider — how good do they throw? We were on 121 after nine darts and didn’t even get a shot. You know, it’s class. It’s good for the game. But it showed — both teams, we played for each other, we play for our countries, and some teams didn’t do that".

Jonny Clayton would end his night very happy as he went on to perform superbly on stage in front of an optimistic home crowd. In a night that featured Peter Wright, Nathan Aspinall, Fallon Sherrock, Robert Owen, Adrian Lewis and Jayden Walker, there was plenty of great darts for the fans in attendance to enjoy.

‘The Ferret’ would win both his matches on the night with a dominant display against Peter Wright earlier on, before dispatching the extremely talented 12-year-old Jayden Walker in a match that MODUS said on X both players provided “some power scoring in Cardiff”.

At the Vale Arena in Cardiff, it was a night of entertainment for everyone, and with a return date planned for December, fans can only hope for more Welsh firepower at the next event.