The darts circuit is alive with the kind of banter that makes the sport so endearing, and Jonny Clayton has just delivered a gem that’s got everyone smiling. The Welsh star, nicknamed “The Ferret” for his relentless pursuit around the board, recently reflected on his brief but memorable clash with Luke Littler—and came away convinced he’s secured a lasting place in the young phenom’s future life story.
It all stems from last year’s Winmau World Masters at Alexandra Palace, where Littler made his debut in the event. The teenage sensation, already turning heads with his explosive scoring, stormed through early rounds, dismantling opponents like Andy Baetens and James Wade in straight sets. But in the quarter-finals, he ran into Clayton, the 2021 Masters champion, who produced a composed performance to edge him out and advance. Clayton went on to reach the final before falling to Luke Humphries, but that victory over Littler proved to be a rare blemish on what became an extraordinary run for “The Nuke.”
Since that defeat, Littler has barely paused for breath. In 2025, he captured an astonishing array of titles: the UK Open, World Matchplay (completing the prestigious triple crown), World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, Players Championship Finals, and, of course, his maiden PDC World Championship. He followed it up by defending the world title in 2026, thrashing Gian van Veen 7-1 in a dominant display that saw him average over 106 and hit 16 maximums. Now world number one and back-to-back champion, Littler has elevated darts to new heights, drawing massive audiences and boosting prize funds across the board.
Clayton, speaking ahead of the ongoing 2026 Winmau World Masters in Milton Keynes—a £500,000 tournament where Littler is chasing the one major TV title still missing from his cabinet—couldn’t resist poking fun at the irony. “I must have upset him, I think, when I beat him!” he said with a grin, acknowledging how that single loss seemed to ignite something unstoppable in the youngster. In Clayton’s eyes, the moment has legendary status: enough to earn him a spot in the autobiography Littler will surely pen one day, chronicling his meteoric rise from Warrington prodigy to global icon.
The Welshman’s comment isn’t laced with bitterness—far from it. It’s delivered with genuine admiration and a touch of pride at having played a small part in the narrative. “He’s got everything—I think if he played blindfolded, he’d be a tough man to beat!” Clayton added effusively. “He’s a good kid and he’s a good character for the game of darts. And with the way he plays, what more do you want? You’re going to enjoy watching Littler play darts.” He praised Littler’s versatility, noting how he “uses all the board” and hits doubles with casual precision, comparing his 2025 dominance to the golden eras of Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen.
This playful rivalry highlights the unique blend of competition and camaraderie in professional darts. Littler, now 19 and an MBE recipient, faces “extra pressure” at the World Masters as he aims to complete his set of every PDC-ranked TV major. The tournament’s sets format—best-of-three legs per set—adds an extra layer of strategy and tension, suiting players like Clayton who thrive on variety. As the event unfolds at Arena MK, with stars like Humphries (the defending champion), van Veen, Michael van Gerwen, and others in the mix, every throw carries the weight of history.
For Clayton, that quarter-final win remains a highlight amid his own strong showings—reaching deep in majors like the UK Open semi-finals and World Championship quarters. But he knows the spotlight now belongs firmly to Littler, whose journey has transformed the sport. The “Littler effect” has brought renewed energy, bigger crowds, and inspired a new wave of fans and players.
In years to come, when Littler sits down to reflect on his career—likely with multiple world titles, records shattered, and a legacy rivaling the greats—Jonny Clayton’s name might just pop up in a chapter titled something like “The One Who Lit the Fuse.” Not as a nemesis, but as the rival who provided the spark. And in darts, where precision meets personality and every match tells a story, that’s the kind of footnote worth treasuring.