Stephen Bunting, the world No 10 darts player, admits that maintaining a high-profile presence on social media feels akin to a Faustian bargain. As one of the most heavily marketed players in the sport, second only to teenage world champion Luke Littler, Bunting has faced the darker side of digital fame. He recently moved his 14-year-old son, Toby, to a private school to shield him from bullying that was exacerbated by his father’s public social media presence.
The 41-year-old from Merseyside reflects on the toxicity of platforms like X, where a single missed dart can trigger a barrage of abuse from gamblers demanding refunds. Bunting has largely retreated from X, noting that the platform became untenable. He recalls, “We had death threats being inboxed,” adding that the vitriol directed at him also targeted his son. These attacks intensified following a shock third-round defeat to James Hurrell, then ranked 63rd in the world, after Bunting had previously referred to himself as the “people’s champion”—a comment he says was meant to be tongue-in-cheek.
Despite these challenges, Bunting remains optimistic about the future of the sport. He notes that the global reach of darts is expanding; during a recent trip to New York, he was recognized by a police officer specifically for his signature walk-on rather than his playing status. He continues to embrace his popularity, often finding himself followed by groups of young fans at locations like the Trafford Centre in Manchester. He also remains a mentor to his son, Toby, who is showing promise in the sport, though Bunting insists he will not pressure him into a professional career.
Bunting’s life has been defined by a significant turnaround. Five years ago, he faced a career-low point, struggling with form and confidence to the extent that he lost 3-0 to an amateur in a local league match. During this period, he grappled with severe personal despair, often retreating to his bedroom to lock himself away. He also accumulated £90,000 in gambling debts through online fruit machines, a crisis that nearly led him to quit the sport entirely to seek conventional employment in retail or local council work.
The recovery process involved the help of a sports psychologist and a hypnotherapist, the latter of whom he still consults up to twice a week before major tournaments. This professional support helped him rebuild his mental resilience. Today, Bunting balances a demanding international schedule—including recent appearances in Budapest and Prague—with his home life and business ventures. He and his manager, Mark Dean, have found success with merchandise, including a popular plush toy modeled after Bunting that sold out rapidly last year.
As he prepares for the release of his bookBulletproof: From Pub to Palace, My Life in Dartson September 10, Bunting remains focused on the next decade of his career. He acknowledges the rise of a new generation of players, noting that young academy talents are already averaging 100 at just 15 years old. Bunting, however, remains confident in his own longevity and continues to engage with fans through his YouTube channel, where he plans to showcase his football card collection with his son’s involvement.
Reflecting on the hostility he has faced, Bunting maintains a pragmatic outlook. While he acknowledges that online abuse is an unfortunate reality, he believes the situation has largely stabilized since his earlier controversies. He continues to perform his iconic walk-on to the songTitaniumwhich he hears daily as his ringtone and alarm, and remains committed to his path in professional darts. The report also notes that “D efinitely,” Stephen Bunting says as he considers whether working so hard as a darts player on social media is like making a deal with the devil. The report also notes that but, over the past year, some of his success on and off the oche has been accompanied by vicious abuse. The report also notes that in a friendly little bookshop, we’re not about to go Bunting Mental, as one of the famous chants associated with him always promises, on a quiet Thursday afternoon in St Helens. The report also notes that and it doesn’t take long for one dart to go wrong and people are saying: ‘Oh, I want my £50 back for my bet.’ So we came off X, it’s a very toxic platform. The report also notes that instagram and TikTok have been brilliant and you very rarely see any toxicity there.”. The report also notes that politely, as I’d prefer to focus on our interview, they ask if I am happy to be filmed for Bunting’s YouTube channel and I decline. The report also notes that a consequence of the relentless exposure is that Bunting is increasingly famous.
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