Stephen Bunting, affectionately known as “The Bullet,” is currently navigating a tough period in the 2025 Premier League Darts season. His most recent match against reigning world champion Luke Littler ended in a 6-0 loss, marking his eighth consecutive defeat in the competition. This streak leaves Bunting at the bottom of the league standings without a single victory to his name. Despite the challenging run, Bunting remains resilient and determined to overcome his struggles.
What made the defeat even more frustrating was that Bunting played remarkably well, achieving an average of 102.15 during the match. This impressive figure is now recorded as the highest-ever Premier League average by a player who failed to win a single leg. It’s a testament to the intense level of competition within the league and highlights the narrow margins between success and failure at this elite level.
Following the match, Bunting took to social media to express his thoughts and address the support he has received from his fans. Grateful for the encouragement, he shared, “Thank you, much appreciated. I stay away from the negative comments as I know they are there. I’m proud to be part of the Premier League, I’m proud of how far I’ve come since the times when I was thinking of quitting, and to be on the verge of moving to number four in the world is amazing. I’ll never give up and I’ll always try 110 percent to achieve my goals.”
Bunting’s words reflect his determination and his refusal to let setbacks define him. His journey in professional darts has been anything but easy. After breaking onto the scene with his BDO World Championship win in 2014 and moving to the PDC, Bunting initially enjoyed success. However, by 2017, he faced a series of disappointments, including early exits from major tournaments, which left him questioning his future in the sport.
During this difficult period, Bunting contemplated stepping away from professional darts. The pressure and negative mindset took a toll on him personally and professionally. He revealed how walking into venues made him feel as if people were laughing at him, leading to a lack of motivation. He said, “I was walking into venues feeling like people were laughing at me, and I just didn’t want to be there anymore. My form was so bad and I was going home and taking it out on my family. I needed to do something. I went to see a sports psychologist, and he trained my brain to think about the positives, because every time I was playing darts it was all negative.”
With the help of a sports psychologist, Bunting managed to turn his mindset around, focusing more on the positives rather than dwelling on the negatives. This shift in perspective helped him revive his career, leading to a strong performance at the PDC World Darts Championship earlier this year, where he made it to the semi-finals. His resilience and dedication have inspired many within the darts community.
Despite his recent struggles, Bunting remains optimistic and committed to finding his form again. He admitted to feeling added pressure, saying, “I’m making myself so nervous because I care and want to perform to my best instead of just relaxing and letting it happen.” His determination to push through the difficulties shows his passion for the sport and his drive to succeed.
Luke Littler, who dominated Bunting in their most recent encounter, offered some words of encouragement, recognizing the internal pressures Bunting is putting on himself. Littler remarked, “If I were Stephen, you’ve just got to relax. Saying ‘come on, win that first game.’ I’m sure once he gets that first win and gets that winning feeling, he’ll go on. I think he could win a night.”
Littler’s supportive words reflect the respect and understanding within the darts community, where even rivals acknowledge the mental challenges players face. Bunting’s perseverance continues to resonate with his supporters, and many believe that once he secures his first win, his confidence will return, and with it, his form.
As the Premier League season progresses, Bunting remains hopeful that his hard work will eventually pay off. His story of resilience and determination serves as a reminder that even when the odds seem against you, the willingness to keep pushing forward can eventually lead to success. The darts world continues to rally behind “The Bullet,” confident that his breakthrough moment is just around the corner.
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