Stephen Bunting has long been one of darts’ most popular and recognisable figures, thriving on the electric atmosphere of Alexandra Palace. Known as “The Bullet,” the world number four has earned a huge following through his explosive walk-ons to Titanium, his open personality, and his constant interaction with fans both inside the arena and online. Arriving at the PDC World Darts Championship as the fourth seed, and on the back of a strong season that included major titles and deep runs on the big stage, Bunting looked primed for another memorable campaign.
That run, however, came to a sudden halt in the third round. In a dramatic contest, Bunting was edged out 4–3 by underdog James Hurrell, who produced the performance of his career. The match swung back and forth, featuring big scoring, clutch finishing, and a standout 161 checkout from Bunting. Ultimately, Hurrell held his nerve in the deciding set, sending the highest seed tumbling out and ending hopes of a potential semi-final clash with defending champion Luke Littler. Bunting was gracious in defeat, admitting that while his finishing clicked at times, his scoring rhythm never fully arrived.
While the loss itself was painful, what followed proved even harder to take. In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Bunting opened up about the wave of online abuse that followed the defeat—abuse that didn’t stop with him, but spilled over onto his family. He explained that he stepped away from social media for a few days to recover, acknowledging how difficult World Championship defeats can be. He also congratulated Hurrell on a deserved victory, stressing that such moments are part of the brutal reality of elite sport.
Bunting then turned his focus to the fans, thanking them for what he described as overwhelming support. He spoke about the countless messages of encouragement across his social platforms, saying that the positivity far outweighed the negativity and helped drown out the noise from critics. According to Bunting, that backing is a huge reason he continues to give everything—whether on stage or through his media work—despite the pressures that come with being in the spotlight.
He went on to highlight the sacrifices made by his family, admitting that time away from them has been one of the toughest aspects of the past year. Bunting made it clear that they remain his biggest motivation, adding that he still believes he has plenty more to give to darts and wants to keep making them proud throughout the rest of his career.
The most upsetting revelation came when Bunting disclosed that online trolls had also targeted his 13-year-old son, Toby. Often seen in positive father-and-son moments on social media and present in the Ally Pally crowd, Toby became an unintended victim of abuse. Bunting described this as deeply hurtful, stressing that his son is a kind, respectful kid who doesn’t deserve that treatment. He added that he plans to focus on more positive family content going forward.
This is not the first time Bunting has spoken openly about the emotional impact of online criticism. Earlier in the tournament, backlash to a light-hearted “people’s champion” comment left him visibly emotional, underlining how quickly social media can turn. Still, he has consistently pointed to the strength of his fanbase on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube as a major source of encouragement.
Bunting closed his message by thanking his team and sponsors, wishing fans a happy new year, and promising to move forward with optimism. His honesty has resonated across the darts community, serving as a reminder that behind the walk-ons and big moments are real people with real families. As the World Championship continues, support continues to build behind Stephen Bunting, with many eager to see “The Bullet” bounce back and fire again in the year ahead.