“I started off the year pretty well. Don’t get me wrong, my floor tournaments weren’t the best. But my TV performances were really good. I beat Michael (Van Gerwen) and got a nine-darter, I felt I was going in the right direction for a big year," said Clayton to Darts World.

“You build confidence obviously and this has put a stop to it. How dare Coronavirus do that to me!“

“If everything sits in place, I know I can get results in any tournament. But nothing in sport is set in stone so you need to keep going and battling.

“Maybe I should live up to my nickname The Ferret in darts. I got it from my rugby days, because I was quiet and small in the scrum.

“In darts I’d be happy to win trophies when I’m not expected to. Just the quiet one who sneaks up to win majors.”

On the PDC Home Tour, Clayton said that it is a bit strange for him but that is in part due to his practice routine and that for him, like any tournament it depends what happens on the night as to whether he will move through.

“I just play in my spare room, that’s where my dartboard is. So I’ve no had anything special to do to get set up for playing live at home.

“I’m not a massive practice player, I’ve not got any routines. So basically I don’t know how to take this Home Tour event but it was good to win my group. It’s a weird feeling to be doing this live in my spare room.

“I just find darts a weird sport.If you are on form you can beat anybody but if you’re not you could be the worst player ever. It just depends if you turn up on the night.”