He was defeated in the first round of the 2012 World Championships by Vincent van der Voort 2–3. Hylton lost 7–9 in the last 32 of the 2012 UK Open to Jamie Caven. On the 2012 Pro Tour, his best results were quarter-final defeats in the UK Open Qualifier 8 (4–6 to Joe Cullen) and the 10th Players Championship (4–6 to Andy Hamilton). His results were not enough to see him qualify for the 2013 World Championship through the Pro Tour Order of Merit so he played in the Qualifier and lost in the last 16 to Stuart Kellett. After the World Championship Hylton was ranked world number 37.