In a night defined by raw human emotion and a defiant silence to the critics, Stephen Bunting transformed his season from a point-less struggle into a triumphant homecoming for his self-belief. On a high-stakes night in Belfast, “The Bullet” didn’t just win a trophy; he reclaimed his narrative in a performance that saw him sweep aside the world’s best before breaking down in a tearful, soul-baring interview.
The Climb to the Summit
Bunting entered Night Four of the 2026 Premier League campaign with his back against the wall. Having failed to secure a single point in the opening three weeks, the 40-year-old Liverpudlian was the subject of intense scrutiny. Pundits and fans alike had questioned his wildcard inclusion, suggesting the stage might be too big for a player who seemed to be “fading out” of the elite conversation.
His response was nothing short of a darting masterclass. The evening began with a high-octane 6–4 victory over the reigning world champion, Luke Humphries, where Bunting’s clinical finishing signaled a change in the wind. He followed this by producing a “whitewash” in the semi-finals, thumping current league leader Jonny Clayton 6–0 with an average north of 106. By the time he faced Gian van Veen in the final, Bunting looked invincible, securing a 6–2 victory to claim the £10,000 nightly prize and a vital surge up the standings.
A Vulnerable Victory
The triumph on the oche was only half the story. As the final double top settled, the adrenaline of the match gave way to the weight of the previous months. In a post-match interview that resonated far beyond the SSE Arena, an visibly shaken Bunting addressed the “noise” that had surrounded his career.
“Everyone was writing me off before the tournament,” Bunting admitted, his voice cracking with emotion. “People were saying I shouldn’t be in it, but I know how hard I work behind the scenes. These are the nights I play for, and the crowd pulled me through.”
Bunting’s honesty offered a rare glimpse into the mental toll of professional sport. He revealed that he had turned to hypnotherapy on the morning of the event to settle his mind and had completely stepped away from social media to insulate himself from the “negative doubters.”
Balancing the Board and the Baby
Beyond the technical adjustments and the mental coaching, Bunting pointed to a grounded source of strength: his family.
“I’m the only darts player at the moment with a one-year-old child,” he noted. “I have to juggle family life. I have a lovely family at home, and I’m doing this for them.”
This victory wasn’t just about silencing critics; it was about validating a difficult journey. Bunting reflected on a painful streak in 2025 where he lost seven or eight matches consecutively, explaining that those “scars” were exactly what allowed him to stay calm under the Belfast spotlights. He noted that in the Premier League, you face the “best of the best” every week, and having survived the lows of the previous year, he felt prepared to finally stand as the winner.
The Road Ahead
With this victory, Bunting has catapulted himself into fifth place in the table, leapfrogging the likes of Luke Littler and Luke Humphries. As the tour moves toward Cardiff next week, the message from “The Bullet” is clear: he isn’t just a participant; he is a contender.
“I believe I am one of the best players in the world and deserve to be in the Premier League,” Bunting concluded. “Tonight, I am the winner.”
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