In the high-stakes world of Premier League Darts, where every throw carries the weight of legacy, Stephen Bunting finds himself teetering on the edge of an unwanted record. The 39-year-old from St Helens, affectionately dubbed “The Bullet,” has endured a brutal stretch in the 2025 season, dropping eight consecutive matches and languishing at the bottom of the eight-man table with zero points. It’s a stark contrast to the form that saw him claim his first PDC major title at the Masters in 2024 and reach the semi-finals of the World Championship earlier this year. But amid this slump, an unlikely voice of encouragement has emerged: teenage darts phenom Luke Littler, who, after delivering a crushing 6-0 defeat to Bunting in Newcastle, offered sage advice to help his struggling rival turn the tide.
The scene unfolded on Night Eight of the Premier League, held in Newcastle’s pulsating Utilita Arena. Littler, the 18-year-old reigning champion, was in scintillating form, dismantling Bunting in a mere ten minutes. With an average of just under 110, five maximum 180s, and a 50 percent checkout rate, the Warrington wonderkid left no room for doubt, whitewashing Bunting in a performance that underscored his dominance. For Bunting, it was another chapter in a nightmarish run—his 102.15 average was the highest ever posted by a player failing to win a single leg in Premier League history, a statistic as impressive as it was agonizing. As the crowd roared for Littler’s fourth nightly win of the season, Bunting’s winless streak stretched to 12 games in the competition, dating back to his last victory in 2015 against Gary Anderson.
Yet, amid the sting of defeat, Littler extended a hand of camaraderie. Reflecting on Bunting’s struggles, he pinpointed the root of the issue with a maturity beyond his years. “Obviously, Steve’s struggling at the minute,” Littler said, his tone empathetic yet firm. “I think last week he said he’s putting too much pressure on himself. Obviously, without a win in eight weeks.” The teenager, who has taken the darts world by storm since his breakout World Championship final run in 2024, didn’t stop at diagnosis—he offered a remedy. “If I was Stephen now, I’d say you’ve just got to relax,” he advised. “You’ve just got to say, come on, just win that first game. And I’m sure once he gets that first win and gets that winning feeling, then he’ll go on. Hopefully, I think he could win a night.”
Bunting’s woes are a far cry from his earlier triumphs. After switching from the BDO to the PDC in 2014, he’s steadily built a reputation as a fan favorite, thanks to his infectious energy and iconic walk-on to David Guetta’s “Titanium.” His 2024 Masters victory over Michael van Gerwen was a career-defining moment, and his semi-final clash with Littler at the 2025 World Championship showcased his resilience, even in a 6-1 loss. But the Premier League has been a different beast. His current skid threatens to eclipse Peter Wright’s record of 13 consecutive winless games across the 2019 and 2020 seasons—a mark Bunting is just one loss shy of matching. The pressure is palpable, and Littler’s words echo a sentiment Bunting himself has acknowledged. After a recent defeat, The Bullet admitted he’s been his own worst enemy, piling expectation atop an already heavy burden.
Littler, meanwhile, continues to soar. His Newcastle triumph—capped by victories over Rob Cross and a 6-1 thrashing of world No. 1 Luke Humphries in the final—has him atop the Premier League standings with 26 points. “I’m very happy with my performances tonight,” he said, though he admitted to a flicker of fatigue toward the end. His ascent has been meteoric: a World Championship title in January 2025, four Premier League night wins, and a flair that’s redefined the sport’s appeal. Yet, his advice to Bunting reveals a grounded perspective, a recognition that even the best can falter under self-imposed strain.
For Bunting, the road ahead offers both peril and promise. The Premier League caravan rolls on to Berlin next, where he’ll face another stern test. Littler’s prediction—that one win could spark a turnaround—hangs in the air, a lifeline for a player staring down darts infamy. “Once he gets that first win, I’m sure he’ll win quite a few,” Littler mused, his confidence in Bunting unwavering despite their lopsided encounter. As the season nears its halfway mark, The Bullet has time to rewrite his story—but it starts with heeding the wisdom of a teenager who’s already conquered the world. In darts, as in life, sometimes the simplest advice—just relax—can be the hardest to follow, yet the most transformative when embraced.
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