**Welsh Darts Player Jonny Clayton Jokes That His Wife’s Advice Cost Him a Fortune**
Welsh professional darts star Jonny Clayton has playfully accused his wife of stifling his earning potential, after revealing she discouraged him from choosing a walk-on song that has since become a fan favourite in the sport. The 50-year-old, affectionately nicknamed ‘The Ferret’, shared the story in a recent podcast interview, citing his wife Ellen’s input as the reason he now believes he may have missed out on thousands of pounds in prize money and sponsorship opportunities.
Clayton, who has made a significant impact on the professional darts circuit in recent years, was reflecting on his time in the prestigious Premier League Darts competition. He recently reached the World Cup of Darts final alongside fellow Welshman Gerwyn Price, only to narrowly lose out to the Northern Irish duo of Daryl Gurney and Josh Rock in a dramatic finish in Frankfurt.
The world number five’s walk-on is instantly recognisable thanks to the rousing classic “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry. However, in a revealing moment on the ‘Tops and Tales’ podcast, Clayton explained that he had originally set his heart on using “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers as his entrance anthem – a song which has since gained immense popularity within the darts community.
According to Clayton, he was advised against the choice by his wife Ellen, who believed another song would suit him better. He remarked, with a chuckle, “Well, right, you couldn’t believe this or not, but I think Ellen, my wife, has cost me thousands in the Premier League because the walk-on song I wanted was Mr. Brightside… So I blame Ellen. It’s her fault.” The light-hearted admission was accompanied by the acknowledgment that since then, English darts player Nathan Aspinall has adopted “Mr. Brightside” as his theme tune, with considerable success.
Aspinall’s use of the iconic song has not gone unnoticed. Not only has it become a staple of darts tournaments, attracting widespread acclaim and energising the crowds, but some of his competitors have even suggested it played a role in his Premier League selection. Dave Chisnall and Mike De Decker have previously implied that Aspinall’s renowned walk-on routine added entertainment value, helping to secure him a Premier League place.
Participating in the Premier League Darts tournament is no minor feat – with £10,000 available for each weekly victory and much larger sums at stake as the tournament progresses, the financial rewards can be substantial. It is under these circumstances that Clayton, with characteristic good humour, speculated about the opportunities he might have had, pondering if a different soundtrack could have helped elevate his profile even further.
Despite his jestful regret over the decision, Clayton continues to take pride in his current walk-on music. As he puts it, “It’s still iconic in its own way, you know. It’s got my name in it.” The mutual ribbing between the players remains in good spirit, with Clayton revealing that Aspinall himself finds the story amusing, even jokingly thanking Ellen for her song veto.
Clayton’s career continues to flourish, undaunted by any musical choices. He tasted victory in the Premier League at his very first attempt in 2021, defeating darts giants Michael van Gerwen and Jose de Sousa in the final rounds. That success earned him a hefty prize purse of £250,000 and cemented his status as one of the sport’s elite competitors.
Recent months have seen Clayton dominate the ProTour, securing a title at Players Championship 14 in April and following up with his third European Tour title at the Dutch Darts Championship. His consistency and winning prowess have placed him fifth in the world rankings, with a remarkable £557,750 in prize money amassed over the past two years on the PDC Order of Merit.
While the walk-on music debate may provide some light-hearted banter, Clayton’s impressive achievements suggest he is unlikely to let a missed musical opportunity overshadow his career. His story stands as a testament to how even the smallest decisions can take on new weight in the high-stakes, high-profile world of professional sport – and how a sense of humour is always essential, no matter what tune leads you to the oche.