[8] Downing has an aggressive, rock-influenced guitar style featuring solos and dual leads with fellow Judas Priest guitarist Glenn Tipton.

[9] Downing officially left Judas Priest on 20 April 2011, citing "an on-going breakdown in working relationships between myself, elements of the band and management for some time."

He stated that there were at least "21 reasons" why he left, but refused to go into specific detail;[10] however, he did express disappointment in the band's live performance and thought it could have been better.

He felt that he made the right choice to leave when he did and that his time in the band and value in terms of crafting their legacy "was and is unappreciated by more than one member".

[15][16][17] Bassist Ian Hill explained why he wasn't contacted to rejoin Judas Priest[18][19] and the potential conflicts that would occur if he was brought back in the band.

After speaking to bassist Ian Hill about the change, he received the setlist for the dubbed farewell tour, only to find out that his announcement to retire from the band was made public the next day, prompting him to send in his angry second letter.

[43] Downing stated that he never retired from the music industry, detailing about being encouraged to perform on the farewell tour by a friend and being ridiculed by the fans about his announcement.

[49] Downing had an open interest in having a discussion with his former bandmates in taking part in the band's 50th anniversary celebration in 2020,[50] but was not contacted, expressing doubt that he ever would rejoin Judas Priest again.

"[54] He clarified his comment from an article published by Blabbermouth,[55] and still held hopes for them to reconcile, "But to date the band have refused me that opportunity.

[63] On 5 November 2022, Judas Priest were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as they received the Musical Excellence Award.

[69] After not performing on stage since Judas Priest's 30th-anniversary celebration of the 1980 album British Steel in 2009, Downing made his live return at the 2019 edition of the Bloodstock Open Air festival where he performed with former Manowar guitarist Ross the Boss[70][71] as they played the songs "The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown)", "Heading Out to the Highway", "Breaking the Law" and "Running Wild".

"[73] In a Twitter response from a fan, Richie Faulkner praised Downing's performance upon viewing video footage of him, saying that he "looked and sounded great.

"[74] Downing, along with former Judas Priest members Tim "Ripper" Owens and Les Binks, former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson and Hostile guitarist A.J.

Mills performed a special one-off show in Wolverhampton on 3 November 2019 and played a full set of Judas Priest songs.

[89] Downing made a guest appearance on Violent Storm's 2005 self-titled debut album, performing on the track "War No More".

[91] Downing appeared on former Queensrÿche vocalist Geoff Tate's Queensrÿche-branded 2013 album Frequency Unknown, performing the guitar solo on "Running Backwards".

[92][93] In 2018, Downing, along with former Judas Priest members Tim "Ripper" Owens and Les Binks, and Armored Saint bassist Joey Vera were featured in a cover version of the song "Beyond the Realms of Death", fronted by guitarist Paul Crook's band Devilstar, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Judas Priest's 1978 album Stained Class.

[94] On 18 September 2018, Downing published his autobiography titled Heavy Duty: Days and Nights in Judas Priest via Da Capo Press.

He has lived in Los Angeles and Florida but no longer owns a home in Spain, but his main abode since 1985[102] remains Astbury Hall in Shropshire.

Downing maintained that the development was financially stable and viable as he was set to build a luxury hotel for the Marriott Autograph collection and had hoped to host The Open Championship on the estate's golf course.

[109] Due to the circumstances surrounding his golf resort investment, Downing placed a share of his royalty rights for 136 Judas Priest songs for sale; the catalogue generates nearly £300,000 ($400,000) per year.

Joint administrator Alastair Massey called the songs "a unique investment opportunity" from one of the "driving influences" of Judas Priest's success.

[111][112] Downing later explained about the sellings of his estate, his golf course and his royalty rights of 136 Judas Priest songs, "I'm in the process now of recovering everything else through the legal channels.