Darts world champion ended up on different kind of checkout working in Co-op

Former BDO World Darts Champions John 'Boy' Walton was spotted in the home baking and canned fish aisle of Co-op back in 2020 – 19 years after becoming king of the Lakeside.

The 60-year-old begun his professional career back in 1993, picking up some small tournament victories before making his World Championship debut with a first round defeat back in 1999.

Returning in 2001, Walton beat Ritchie Davies, Mervyn King, Marko Pusa, Wayne Mardle and finally Ted Hankey, averaging 95.55 in the final against the reigning champion.

Walton bagged £46,000 for his triumph, spending another 19 years on the tour, on and off, and competing in the PDC Qualifying School back in 2015.

In 2020, Walton was spotted by none other than BBC presenter Dan Walker in Co-op in Sheffield, joining him for a selfie which delighted darts fans on social media.

The post, which has more than 1,500 likes, also attracted plenty of darting puns in the comments.

One wrote: "Surprised he wasn’t at the checkout!"

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With a second added: "'Dan, you require a pint of milk.'"

Walker had tweeted: "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."

While it is unknown whether Walton still works at Co-op, he has signed up to compete at the inaugural World Seniors Darts Championship, which is taking place in February.

The likes of Phil Taylor, Martin Adams, John Part, John Lowe and his former rival Hankey, will provide some of the competition, with Circus Tavern the venue.

The Circus Tavern in Purfleet, Essex, hosted the PDC tournament between 1994-2007, with BBC Sport giving free-to-air coverage in the UK.

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