Ex-world darts champ works in Sheffield Co-op, TV presenter Dan Walker reveals

Sheffield TV presenter Dan Walker has revealed an unlikely encounter on a shopping trip – after bumping into a former world darts champion now working in a city branch of Co-op.
Dan Walker with John Walton. (Photo: Twitter/Dan Walker).Dan Walker with John Walton. (Photo: Twitter/Dan Walker).
Dan Walker with John Walton. (Photo: Twitter/Dan Walker).

The BBC Breakfast and Football Focus host bumped into 2001 world champ John ‘Boy’ Walton in the store’s canned fish aisle.

He revealed details of the chance encounter on Twitter.

He posted: "What a treat to bump into 2001 darts World Champion John 'Boy' Walton at our local @coop_food in Sheffield.

"Lovely chat in the home baking and canned fish aisle."

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Walton appeared to enjoy the recognition as he pulled a dart-throwing pose for the snap.

Walton, 58, has not competed at a BDO event since 2018 but did participate in the first round of the Remote Darts League in April.

Several darts-themed puns from fans on Twitter followed.

"Expect he would go single cream then double cream," said one.

"Then pay at the checkout," tweeted another.

Bradford-born Walton is best known for winning the 2001 BDO World Darts Championship after a 6-2 win over Ted Hankey at the Lakeside Country Club.

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He has 19 major titles to his name, including a hat-trick of wins at the British Pentathlon, a trio of victories at the WDF World Cup and two wins at the England Masters.

His last major win was at the Malta Open in 2014.

He is one of only a few players to have held both the Winmau World Masters and World Championship simultaneously.