Jonny Clayton has enjoyed a rise in darts like no one else over the past 10 years.

'The Ferret' won his PDC tour card a decade ago, moving from the BDO in his early 40s. Clayton has come to find his best form in the last few years after a number of teething years on the tour.

Clayton, now 50 and a four-time major winner, quit his job as a plasterer to focus solely on darts. But it was a decision he only made after becoming a major winner for the first time.

The world No.6, who is playing in the BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix in Leicester, Oct 6-12. Visit BOYLESports.com. 18+ BeGambleAware, spoke exclusively to the Daily Star Sport about his rapid darts rise in his 40s.

He said: "[I was a] part-time professional really but obviously with the darts being on weekends, and I wasn't qualifying into every tournament, I could still manage the work and the playing darts.

"But obviously as I climbed the rankings and I got into bigger tournaments, more tournaments, obviously I had to decide then whether to carry on with my job, plastering or become a full-time pro, so my decision was quite easy obviously to become a full-time pro."

Despite having gone full-time on the professional circuit in 2022 at the age of 47, Clayton said that he doesn't regret not making that decision earlier as he continued to enjoy his final years playing the first sport he fell in love with.

He added: "I don't think I would have changed anything, to be honest. I loved my rugby.

"Rugby was my game, I enjoyed the team spirit, you play darts on your own, it's a lonely old sport, you know.

"Obviously, you make friends with new people, but a team spirit is totally different to darts. But I loved my rugby being Welsh, that's all we're good at! Being Welsh, rugby is massive and that's the game I enjoyed.

"Later on you get older, you're not quite as fit, hips hurt, you know, they last longer, but I've always played darts too.

"So lucky enough for me, I could give one sport up and join something totally different and really enjoy it."

Another skill the Welsh are known for is their singing, but Clayton admitted that he hasn't been blessed with Tom Jones-esque pipes, and neither has his fellow PDC pal and former Welsh Premier Division hooker Gerwyn Price.

"I was very good at rugby, I played in the team, and singing - I cannot do," Clayton said with a smile on his face. "I'm ok at the darts! Yeah, it's one out of three.

"Well rugby, he [Price] was obviously better than me, so he was a good rugby player. Darts - very good player. Singing? I've not heard him yet as in blasting on a karaoke, so I'll have to keep that answer until I do witness that.

"I've heard him snoring in airports when he's fast asleep early mornings, but I've not heard him sing!"

Darts ace Jonny Clayton reveals why he waited before quitting job - 'it's a lonely sport' - Daily Star