Clayton – a two-time World Cup of Darts winner – admits he struggled to focus on playing darts after losing his father, John, in July 2023.
And the former amateur rugby player says he has contemplated retiring from the sport.
“It [career] was over. I had no interest, I didn’t want to play the game, I didn’t want to travel. It meant nothing to me,” he added.
“It’s my hobby at the end of the day. Some of these youngsters are coming through and it’s their job.
“Losing my dad, I don’t want to keep going on about it, but that hurt.
“He was my inspiration to keep playing darts. So I said ‘that’s it, I don’t want to do it any more’.
“But when you’ve got family that are looking up to you and friends that believe in you, it means a lot and I thought I’d give it a chance.”
Clayton will face either Gerwyn Price or Joe Cullen in round four of the World Darts Championship.
