In the electric atmosphere of Alexandra Palace during the 2025/26 PDC World Darts Championship, Stephen Bunting, the world number four and a perennial fan favorite, delivered a commanding performance to dispatch India’s Nitin Kumar in straight sets, 3-0. The Liverpool-born star, nicknamed “The Bullet,” showcased his precision and power, dropping just two legs while hitting impressive checkouts of 118, 107, and a stunning 132 on the bullseye. His average hovered around 94, underlining his dominance on the oche as he advanced to the third round, where he will face James Hurrell after the Christmas break.
Yet, beneath the triumph, Bunting’s post-match press conference revealed a deeply human side to the high-stakes world of professional darts. Visibly emotional, the 40-year-old broke down in tears as he addressed the backlash stemming from comments he made after his hard-fought first-round victory over Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki. In that earlier match, Bunting had battled back from a precarious position, surviving a 3-2 scare in a deciding set tie-break, before declaring in his on-stage interview: “I’m Stephen Bunting. I’m the People’s Champion. I believe I’ve got the best fan base in darts. I’ve got the best social media in darts.”
Those words, intended as a celebration of his passionate supporters and his engaging online presence through platforms like YouTube and TikTok, ignited a firestorm on social media. A torrent of negative messages flooded in, with some fans interpreting the remark as arrogant or self-aggrandizing. Bunting, known for his charismatic walk-ons to David Guetta’s “Titanium”—where the crowd sings along in a ritual that has become one of darts’ most iconic moments—found himself at the center of unwanted controversy.
“I look at social media and I’ve had some stick,” Bunting admitted, his voice cracking. “I made a comment in the media saying I was the people’s champion but that was literally a comment that was from what Sky have said, what the PDC have said, it wasn’t me saying I’m the people’s champion.” He paused briefly as emotions overtook him, the press conference halting momentarily before he composed himself to continue.
The incident highlighted the double-edged sword of modern fame in darts, where players’ accessibility via social media fosters incredible connections with fans but also exposes them to harsh criticism. Bunting, who prides himself on giving back to supporters through his content, emphasized the genuine bond he shares with his audience. “They’re proper darts fans. They know what I’m about and I like to give back to the fans through my YouTube, through my TikTok, through everything I do,” he said. “I’ll stand by it, I still think I’ve got the biggest fan base in darts. I’m lucky. Listen, how loud was that crowd tonight. The walk-on was exceptional. They got behind me every single leg, even when times where I’d start with 45 or 59, they were always there behind me and that’s so important for a person.”
As tears welled up again, Bunting poignantly described the isolation that can accompany the spotlight: “When you’re stood up on that stage, it’s a lonely place and if things don’t go right, you can look at your family, you can look at your management, you can look at your sponsors, but it’s down to you.”
This vulnerability resonated deeply, reminding everyone of the mental toll that online hate can take on even the most resilient athletes. Bunting’s journey in darts has been one of perseverance—from his 2014 BDO World Championship triumph to his rise in the PDC ranks, including a semi-final appearance at last year’s Worlds and multiple titles in 2025. His engaging personality has made him a cult hero, with crowds at Ally Pally often turning his entrances into communal anthems.
Despite the recent ordeal, Bunting’s performance against Kumar demonstrated his focus and resilience. The match ended Kumar’s inspiring run, as the Indian qualifier had made history by becoming the first from his country to win a World Championship match earlier in the tournament. But on this night, Bunting was unstoppable, channeling the support from the roaring crowd to propel him forward.
As the championship pauses for the holidays, Bunting looks ahead to family time and recharging before his next challenge. His emotional outpouring serves as a powerful statement on the need for kindness in the darts community, where passion runs high but support can make all the difference on that “lonely place” under the lights. With his talent and the backing of his devoted fans, Bunting remains a strong contender to finally claim the PDC World title that has eluded him, proving once again why so many see him as the heart and soul of the sport.
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