![](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/incoming\/article31718225.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_JS254102526.jpg\")
<\/p>\nJonny Clayton has been playing through the grief of losing his father and admits he will take to the Alexandra Palace stage \u201cwith a heavy heart\u201d.<\/p>\n
The 'Ferret' has not won a major title on the Professional Darts Corporation treadmill for two years and concedes he may need to invoke his \u201cchopsy\u201d persona to fight his way out of the slump.<\/p>\n
\u200cBut the sudden death of his 80-year-old dad John \u2013 who was also his biggest fan \u2013 in July left Clayton devastated, and he has discovered there is no overnight cure for the pain on a dartboard.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Michael van Gerwen 'gets the badge in' again as he begins World Darts Championship campaign<\/b><\/p>\n
READ MORE: Gerwyn Price 'can blame himself for Ally Pally boos', says Michael van Gerwen<\/b><\/p>\n
\u200cThe former plasterer, who turns 50 next year, begins his campaign at the Paddy Power PDC World Championship on Saturday night confessing: \u201cWhether I do it in an untidy way or a pretty way, I'm still trying to win games of darts – but I'm just not the same person.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u200cPerhaps a return to the stage where he has unfurled some classics among Ally Pally's greatest hits will inspire Clayton, one of the most popular players on the circuit, to rekindle his best form.<\/p>\n
\u200cHis 4-3 defeat by Michael Smith in the fourth round two years ago, and loss by the same margin against Joe Cullen 12 months earlier, were absolute belters, but he admitted: \u201cI\u2019ve got to be honest – I didn\u2019t throw a dart for nearly six weeks and it's showed.<\/p>\n
How far do you think Jonny Clayton can go in the competition? Let us know in the comments section.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u200c\u201cI've been stuck in second gear and I've got another three or four gears to find. Losing my dad hit me hard. We were very close and he was my biggest fan.<\/p>\n
\u200c"You try to work through it, but it's so tough. I'm walking on stage with a heavy heart and my mind has not been on darts.<\/p>\n
\u200c\u201cMy dad believed in sitting in front of the TV in peace and quiet, just watching the darts. Win or lose, I would always phone him straight afterwards and he would always say something daft.<\/p>\n
\u200c\u201cDarts is my job and to get back to where I was, I need to get back to thinking about my job and not everything else, but it's so hard.<\/p>\n
\u200c\u201cMaybe it would be ideal to go and see somebody for counselling, but I'm trying to soldier through it.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/incoming\/article31718229.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_JS303250431.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/incoming\/article31393559.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_PS081123dailystarchat.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join us!<\/p>\n
Through the app, we'll send you the sassiest showbiz stories, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens…along with the latest breaking news of course. <\/p>\n
To join our community, all you have to do to join is click on this link<\/b>, select 'Join Chat' and you're in!<\/p>\n
No one will be able to see who has sign up and no one can send messages except for the Daily Star team. We also treat our community members to competitions, special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. <\/p>\n
If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/p>\n
CLICK HERE TO JOIN<\/b><\/p>\n
\u200cSurprisingly for a winner of six TV majors – including four titles in 2021, a golden year for Welsh darts with Gerwyn Price also winning the World Championship \u2013 Clayton has never been beyond he quarter-finals at Ally Pally.<\/p>\n
\u200cHe admits he may need to channel the aggression of his 'Ferret' incarnation \u2013 which dates back to his days as a \u201cchopsy\u201d scrum-half playing rugby.<\/p>\n
\u200cBut it is hard to imagine one of the oche's good guys giving it large ones or winding up opponents with showboating celebrations, and he added: \u201cThere is probably a nasty streak in me somewhere but I don't think it would suit my character.<\/p>\n
\u201cI'm going to stick with who I am because normally I'm happy, I like fun, I'm one of the boys, and I don't think being nasty would help my darts.<\/p>\n
\u200c\u201cI'm trying not to over-think it. I need that bit of luck – perhaps another humdinger, and preferably winning it, would relight the fire.\u201d<\/p>\n