Professional darts player Stephen Bunting was visibly emotional as he opened up about the torrent of social media abuse he received following his recent World Darts Championship victory.
The Backlash to a Bold Statement
After his first-round win against Sebastian Bialecki last week, the world number four confidently stated to the media: 'I'm Stephen Bunting. I'm the People's Champion. I believe I've got the best fan base in that. I've got the best social media in darts.' This bullish comment was quickly seized upon by online critics, leading to a significant backlash.
Following his second-round defeat of Nitin Kumar on Saturday, December 20, 2025, Bunting addressed the impact this online hate had taken on his wellbeing. The 40-year-old, who is renowned for his popular 'Bunting mental' catchphrase and walk-on to David Guetta's 'Titanium', became tearful during the interview.
An Emotional Defence and Clarification
'I've had some stick over social media. I made a comment in the media saying I was the people's champion,' Bunting explained, pausing to collect himself. 'That was literally a comment from what Sky have said, what PDC have said. It wasn't me saying I'm the People's Champion. I was just talking about what was said.'
He continued to passionately defend his connection with his supporters, stating: 'I never ever shy away from my fans. I'll stand by it, I still think I've got the biggest fanbase in darts.' He highlighted the incredible live support during his match, describing how the crowd's energy helped him through difficult moments on the 'lonely' stage.
A History of Online Abuse and Moving Forward
This is not the first time Bunting has been targeted. He revealed that he also received a barrage of hateful direct messages and comments after his defeat in the World Grand Prix in October 2024. On that occasion, he shared examples on his Facebook page, which included messages telling him to 'die' and calling him a 'fat clown'.
Despite the negativity, Bunting remains focused on his fans and his game. He pointed to his strong online presence, with over 100,000 YouTube subscribers, and his commitment to engaging with supporters in person. 'People online are fickle,' he said. 'Listen, you see the crowd in there tonight, they’re proper darts fans. They know what I’m about.'
Stephen Bunting will now prepare to face England's James Hurrell in his third-round tie at the World Darts Championship, aiming to continue his journey supported by the fans he values so deeply.
