In the electric atmosphere of Alexandra Palace, where the roar of the crowd can make or break a player, Stephen Bunting has always thrived as one of darts’ most charismatic and fan-favorite figures. Nicknamed “The Bullet,” the world number four has built a massive following through his explosive walk-ons to David Guetta’s “Titanium,” his engaging personality, and his heartfelt interactions with supporters both in the venue and online. With a strong 2025 season behind him, including a run to the semi-finals in previous championships and a Masters title win, Bunting entered the PDC World Darts Championship as the fourth seed, brimming with confidence and backed by one of the loudest fan bases in the sport.
However, his campaign came to an abrupt and disappointing end in the third round, where he suffered a thrilling 4-3 defeat to underdog James Hurrell. The match was a rollercoaster, filled with high-pressure moments, spectacular checkouts—including a 161 from Bunting—and relentless scoring from Hurrell, who ultimately held his nerve in the deciding set to claim the biggest win of his career. Bunting, gracious in defeat, acknowledged his opponent’s brilliance, noting that while his finishing was sharp at times, he struggled to find his true scoring rhythm. The loss meant the highest seed crashed out early, denying fans a potential semi-final showdown with defending champion Luke Littler.
The on-stage disappointment was compounded by a darker shadow off it: a surge of online negativity that extended beyond Bunting himself to his family. In a deeply emotional statement shared on social media, Bunting took time to reflect on the defeat and express profound gratitude to his supporters while confronting the painful reality of trolling.
“Sorry I’ve had a few days away from my socials but I just needed a small bit of time after my game to recover and rest,” he began. “Losing any game is never easy, but losing in the world championships always hurts more. Massive congratulations to James Hurrell who played a fantastic match and I wish him all the very best for the rest of the tournament. I tried my best and although some of my finishing was on point I just couldn’t find my true scoring game but that’s darts for you.”
Turning to his fans, he continued: “I wanted to come on and say thank you to all the fans and the support which has been very overwhelming from you guys. Not only in the venue for the worlds but all over my socials with messages of support and love. You guys really are my inspiration and you help to pick me up whilst I’m down in any situation. You’re a massive reason why I keep trying to give 110% in every aspect of what I do whether that’s playing on the stage or doing any type of my media work. There have been many negative comments but the positive far outweighs them and deafens the noise they try to make.”
Bunting then opened up about the personal sacrifices involved in his career and the unwavering support from his loved ones. “I want to thank my family who also put a lot of commitment in behind the scenes, not really seeing me as much as I would like and I’ve found that the most difficult this year but they know I do all this for them. I love my family so much and they give me massive motivation to continue this journey. I still believe I have a lot to give darts over the rest of my career and I want to make them forever proud.”
The most heartbreaking part came when he revealed how the abuse had spilled over to his 13-year-old son, Toby, who has frequently appeared in wholesome father-son content online and was in the crowd cheering during the tournament. “They see the negative comments and do their best to make sure I don’t see them and even Toby has had some hate from some of the trolls online which really is hurtful for us as a family,” Bunting shared. “Toby is one of the nicest kids you could wish to meet and I’ll be doing a lot more social stuff with him this coming year.”
This revelation struck a chord, highlighting the ugly side of social media fame where anonymous critics cross boundaries into attacking innocent family members. Bunting’s troubles with online backlash aren’t new; earlier in the tournament, after a first-round win, his lighthearted claim of being the “people’s champion”—inspired by commentator praise—sparked a wave of criticism that left him emotional and tearful in interviews. Yet, he has consistently emphasized the overwhelming positivity from his dedicated followers across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
Wrapping up his message on an optimistic note, Bunting thanked his management and sponsors before looking ahead: “Lastly I wanted to wish you all a happy new year and hope you all have a wonderful 2026. Let’s go bunting mental into 2026 and I love you all.”
Bunting’s candid words serve as a powerful reminder of the human cost behind the glamour of professional sports. In an era where social media amplifies both adoration and animosity, his resilience shines through, fueled by genuine connections with fans and his drive to protect and inspire his family. As the darts world moves forward, supporters rally behind him, eager to see “The Bullet” reload and chase more glory in the year ahead.
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