Darts star Jonny Clayton forgets anniversary, focuses on Premier League win
Darts star Jonny Clayton has admitted he forgot his 20th wedding anniversary after being too focused on beating Luke Littler on night 11 in the Premier League, reports BritPanorama.
The Welshman, currently leading the league, was so engrossed in his match preparations that the significant personal milestone completely slipped his mind.
Clayton confessed he overlooked the anniversary with his wife Ellen, who remained at their home in Carmarthenshire during the event in Rotterdam. “I had to do something special because it is our twentieth wedding anniversary. And I did forget. Maybe this makes it alright,” the 51-year-old admitted.
Clayton’s path in this year’s competition has been remarkable, particularly as he entered as a wildcard selection. Many observers initially doubted his standing among the elite, yet he has proven otherwise, now sitting comfortably atop the league. The world number five has triumphed in three of his last four encounters against Littler, which helped him extend his lead significantly.
Despite a 32-year age gap, Clayton embraced the rivalry with the teenage sensation, referring to it humorously as “the grandfather and the young kid” at the oche. Nonetheless, he expressed sincere respect for Littler: “All jokes aside, I have got total respect for Luke. He’s absolutely amazing.”
This match was not without its controversies. The atmosphere turned hostile for Littler, who faced a chorus of boos from Dutch fans. After his 6-4 defeat to Clayton, he acknowledged the expected jeers: “Exactly what I expected, the boos and whistles, but I knew as soon as I got on stage I could do my job.”
Clayton also highlighted the growing tension in the tournament, particularly following Littler’s earlier altercation with Dutch player Gian van Veen, which had made him a divisive figure among fans. Reflecting on his performance, Clayton stated, “It’s going well for me now and I have a massive smile on my face.”
With Clayton’s resurgence in form, this season has turned into a stage of self-assertion for the veteran, reminding fans and critics alike that even experienced players can defy expectations as the competition unfolds.
