He adopted the nickname John Boy and used the song "Cotton Eye Joe" by Rednex as his walk-on theme.
Walton opened his 2001 campaign with a 3–1 first round win over Ritchie Davies and averaged an excellent 100.62 during the match.
Walton then beat Wayne Mardle 5–3 in the semi-final and Ted Hankey 6–2 in the final to become World Champion.
He joined Eric Bristow, Phil Taylor, Richie Burnett and Bob Anderson as the fourth player to win them in the same season.
Walton made history at the 2007 Winmau World Masters in Bridlington by hitting a televised nine dart finish.
He won through an emotional first-round game against his friend Shaun Greatbatch who was battling bone marrow cancer.
Walton was unseeded for the 2011 World Championship, but beat 16th seed Dave Prins 3–1 in the first round before being defeated by Martin Adams 4–3 in a sudden death leg.
Walton made a return to the TV Screens by playing in the Inaugural World Seniors Darts Championship, He beat fellow World Champions Les Wallace 3-2 and John Part 3-1 In the opening two rounds, before losing in the quarter final to Terry Jenkins 3-1.