Jonny Clayton "The Ferret" 
The Welsh plasterer who became one of the most popular men in darts — a four-time major champion whose magical 2021 season turned him from journeyman into a genuine big-stage force.
Jonny Clayton At A Glance
| Full Name | Jonny Clayton |
| Date of Birth | 4 October 1974 (age 51) |
| Place of Birth | Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Wales |
| Home Town | Pontyberem, Carmarthenshire, Wales |
| Nationality | Welsh |
| Nickname | The Ferret |
| Walk-On Song | "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry |
| PDC Ranking | World No. 5 |
| Playing Since | 1995 (PDC Tour Card from 2015) |
| Former Job | Plasterer |
| Darts Used | 22g Red Dragon Hiraeth (90% tungsten) |
| Favourite Double | Double Tops (D20) |
| Major Titles | Masters (2021), Premier League (2021), World Grand Prix (2021), World Series Finals (2021) · 2× World Cup of Darts (2020, 2023) |
| Career Prize Money | Over £2.84m |
The Story of Jonny Clayton
If you ever needed proof that it's never too late, look no further than Jonny Clayton. The Welshman spent years working as a plasterer, juggling the day job with the darts, before catching fire in his mid-40s and becoming one of the most beloved players on the circuit.
Born on 4 October 1974 in Llanelli and based in the village of Pontyberem, Clayton has been throwing since 1995, coming up through the BDO before earning his PDC Tour Card in 2015. For a good while he was a solid, respected pro without a major to his name — the sort of grafter every fan has a soft spot for. The nickname "The Ferret" was handed to him by his great mate and Welsh World Cup partner Gerwyn Price, and it stuck.
Jonny Clayton in action — the Welsh grafter who lit up the oche in his magical 2021 season.
Then came 2021, and what a year it was. Clayton won four PDC major titles in a single season — the Masters, the Premier League, the World Grand Prix and the World Series Finals. For a player who'd waited so long for his first big trophy, suddenly winning everything in sight was the stuff of fairy tales. He'd already tasted glory with Wales, winning the World Cup of Darts in 2020 alongside Price, and the pair would do it again in 2023.
That golden run lifted him into the world's top five, a position he's held with real consistency since. He's reached the World Championship quarter-finals in both 2023 and 2026, proving he's no flash in the pan. The Jonny Clayton darts story is a brilliant reminder that hard graft and self-belief pay off.
What Darts Does Jonny Clayton Use?
Plenty of fans want to know what The Ferret throws. Jonny Clayton uses 22g Red Dragon signature darts — his Hiraeth range, machined from 90% tungsten and developed with Red Dragon. The name "Hiraeth" is a lovely touch: it's a Welsh word with no direct English translation, capturing a deep longing for home — fitting for one of Wales' proudest sporting sons. They come in two versions: the Hiraeth Original and the Hiraeth Switch Points edition.
The 22g weight sits comfortably in the classic professional range, suiting Clayton's steady, controlled throwing action. The barrel's grip pattern gives him clean, repeatable purchase, and the 90% tungsten build keeps things slim for tight grouping. The Switch Points version adds swappable points so you can fine-tune the front-end feel to taste.
A no-nonsense, reliable setup — exactly what you'd expect from a no-nonsense, reliable competitor.
Jonny Clayton's Full Gear Setup
Want to throw like The Ferret? Here's the complete Jonny Clayton darts setup — both versions of his Hiraeth barrels, his flights and the surround that frames his oche. Every item below is the genuine Red Dragon professional range.
Red Dragon Jonny Clayton Hiraeth Switch Points — 90% Tungsten
The Switch Points version of Clayton's signature darts gives you all the quality of the 90% tungsten Hiraeth barrel, with the convenience of interchangeable points. Swap and adjust to dial in your perfect front-end feel without any faff — ideal for players who like to tinker with their setup.
Red Dragon Hardcore Shape No. 6 Flights — Extra Thick 100 Micron
Clayton's choice of flight — the Hardcore Shape No. 6 in a beefy 100-micron extra-thick material. The thicker construction stands up to heavy use and dart-on-dart punishment far better than standard flights, keeping the dart stable in the air. A small upgrade that makes a real difference to durability and consistency.
Red Dragon Extra Thick Dart Flights — 100 Micron
A brilliant value set of Red Dragon extra-thick 100-micron flights to keep your darts flying true. The reinforced material resists creasing and splitting far longer than thin flights, so you spend less on replacements and more time throwing. A staple for any serious player's kit bag.
Red Dragon Dartboard Surround
Kit out your oche like a pro with this Red Dragon surround. It soaks up the stray darts that miss the board, saves your wall (and your plaster — fitting for a former plasterer), and gives your home setup that proper tournament look. Pair it with a quality bristle board and you're sorted.
Jonny Clayton Merchandise
Fancy looking the part in the crowd? The official Jonny Clayton shirt is a cracking bit of kit for any fan — proper tournament apparel as worn by The Ferret himself, and a brilliant gift idea for the darts-mad among us.
Jonny Clayton Career Highlights
2015 — PDC Tour Card
After years in the BDO, Clayton earns his PDC Tour Card and begins his professional climb at age 40.
2020 — First World Cup with Wales
Teams up with Gerwyn Price to win the World Cup of Darts for Wales — his first taste of major silverware.
2021 — The Magical Year: Masters & Premier League
Wins his maiden singles major at the Masters, then stuns the field to lift the Premier League title — a breakout season for the ages.
2021 — World Grand Prix Champion
Caps a remarkable year by sealing the World Grand Prix with five huge finishes — one of the most memorable major triumphs of his career.
2021 — World Series Finals: Four Majors in a Year
Completes an astonishing four-major season by winning the World Series Finals, rocketing into the world's top five.
2023 — Second World Cup & Worlds Quarter-Final
Wins the World Cup of Darts again with Gerwyn Price and reaches the World Championship quarter-finals — proof his elite form is here to stay.
Playing Style & Technique
Jonny Clayton is the model of a steady, big-match competitor. He's not the fastest thrower on tour, nor does he go searching for flashy averages — instead he plays a controlled, consistent game built on relentless scoring and ice-cold finishing when it matters.
The Ferret in full cry — Clayton's big-stage temperament makes him a nightmare to beat in the latter stages of majors.
His real strength is temperament. Clayton thrives in the heat of a major, and his 2021 haul showed a man who simply doesn't wilt under pressure — that World Grand Prix run, with finish after finish under the lights, was the perfect example. When he gets his nose in front, he's a tough man to peg back.
There's also the doubles. Clayton's a clinical finisher who makes the most of his chances, and it's that efficiency on the outer ring that's turned tight matches into trophies. Add in the experience of a player who's seen it all, and you've got one of the most dependable big-game operators in the sport.
Clayton's game proves consistency beats flash — solid scoring and reliable doubles win more matches than the occasional huge average. If you want to build a steady, repeatable throw of your own, have a read of our complete guide on how to throw darts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What darts does Jonny Clayton use?
Jonny Clayton uses 22g Red Dragon Jonny Clayton Hiraeth signature darts, made from 90% tungsten, available in Original and Switch Points versions.
How old is Jonny Clayton?
Jonny Clayton was born on 4 October 1974 in Llanelli, Wales, which makes him 51 years old as of 2026.
What is Jonny Clayton's walk-on song?
Jonny Clayton's walk-on song is "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry.
Why is Jonny Clayton called The Ferret?
His nickname "The Ferret" was given to him by his great friend and Welsh World Cup team-mate Gerwyn Price.
What has Jonny Clayton won?
Clayton won four PDC major titles in 2021 — the Masters, Premier League, World Grand Prix and World Series Finals — plus the World Cup of Darts twice for Wales (2020 and 2023).
What did Jonny Clayton do before darts?
Before turning professional, Jonny Clayton worked as a plasterer, juggling his trade with his darts for years before his breakthrough.
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