Stephen Bunting, the charismatic darts star nicknamed “The Bullet,” recently shared a hilarious personal confession: his feet appear to be “shrinking” after more than a year of discomfort.
The Liverpool native, who’s been in fine form on the Premier League Darts circuit with strong showings against top players like Luke Littler, discussed the issue during a fun appearance on the Double Tops podcast. The 39-year-old revealed he’s long worn size 11 trainers, but they’ve felt increasingly baggy and awkward.
With his usual cheeky wit, Bunting joked, “Yeah size 11, my feet are shrinking.”
He quickly cleared up the mystery with a classic self-mocking twist: it wasn’t any strange ailment, just a classic shopping blunder. “I think I bought the wrong size when I first bought them and I’ve been walking around like PC Plod for 12 months.”
For context, PC Plod (sometimes spelled Plot in reports) is the famously clumsy, heavy-footed policeman from the Noddy children’s books—perfect for picturing Bunting clomping around in oversized shoes, creating an unintentionally comical walk that he’s put up with far too long.
The lighthearted story surfaced amid Bunting’s impressive resurgence in the sport. Known for his approachable, fan-first attitude that earns him the “People’s Champion” label, he engages warmly with supporters through events and social media. His success lately—including claiming Premier League nights—has quieted critics and showcased his mental toughness, honed with help from hypnotherapy to stay focused and positive.
Even elite athletes face everyday slip-ups, and Bunting’s year-long footwear fiasco is a perfect reminder that pros deal with the same silly mistakes as anyone else. It humanizes him further, showing that beneath the arena walk-ons, 180s, and precision throws, he’s just a guy who can laugh at himself while dodging literal trips.
Whether he finally grabs a proper-fitting pair or keeps milking the gag, one thing’s certain: a case of “shrinking feet” won’t derail The Bullet. With his sights set on the oche and a grin on his face, Stephen Bunting keeps hitting the mark—one throw, and one chuckle, at a time.