Stephen Bunting ‘The People’s Champion’: How former BDO World Darts Champion became an icon of social media | News Darts
Strain from the 2025 Gate, Stephen Bunting began a year in style, securing the title Bahrain Darts Masters with an impressive 8-4 win against Gerwyn Price.
Bunting’s first World Series win after it seemed that the ally Pally Crowd fell in love with ‘Mellet’ over the festive period, with his presence on social networks and an iconic walk, which makes him champion in “People Palace”
Earlier this month it was announced that Bunting would return to the Premier League 2025 – Lives on Sky Sports – And join like Luka Littler, Luke Humphories and Michael Van Gerwen in 17 places throughout the competition.
Thousands of fans across the UK and Europe will throw out Bunting’s David Guetta Walk-on “Titanium” for the next few months, with faithful fan of World No 5 hoping that “Bunting Mental” will be up to Play-offs on O2 In May.
“He is a gentleman, he is all you want in a dart of players,” Sky Sports Darts Michael Bridge noted. “Has an attractive nature.”
But where did it all start in PDC for ‘bullet’?
Bunting’s Transition to PDC
Just over a decade ago, at the end of January 2014, the then BDO World Champion Bunting transferred the attitudes and agreed to participate in the PDC after receiving the tour. Since then, it has been a wild ride for the man of St Hellens.
Later that year, Bunting began his life at the PDC Bang at the 2015 World Championships in Darts, with an emphasis on victories against Robert Marijanovic, James Wade and Michael Smith, before he eventually succumbed to a narrow defeat of the legend that hit in the legend legend Raymond Van Barneveld.
After their strenuous battle, which ended 5-4, Dutchman stated that Bunting was “one of the best of the best” in front of a distinguished federal Pally. This iconic speech has now pointed out that Bunting has been spoke to PDC, receiving respect from the banging icon.
Maybe this was a sign that there was more in the tank for Bunting.
The next decade of the PDC events had some ups and downs, including a disappointing exit in the first round against Darren Webster in 2017, after Bunting was incredibly missed by seven darts.
However, the 2021 semi-final ride and an unfortunate defeat of 5-3 in the hands of the eventual winner of Michael Smith in 2023 were observed times in which the eyes were again on the world stage.
How did the Darts world go ‘Bunting Mental’
It was December 2024, at the beginning of the 2025 World Cup in Darts, where Bunting began to shine the freshest since he joined PDC more than a decade ago.
On the way to the semifinals, Bunting put Luke Woodhouse on the sword in Ruta 4-0 and cruised the past double world champion Peter Wright to clash against the teenage sensation of Luka Littler, where Bunting would eventually get out of the end of the tournament.
“Obviously, in that semifinals he played Luke Littler and this is really one of the first time in which I was not sure which person this audience would support more,” Sky Sports Digital Journalist Megan Wellens discovered.
“He absolutely learned how to get the crowd in his palm, because you can even see him as follows his little routine he does, where he knows exactly what he is doing at all times.”
Beside himself Bunting, Darts fans are used to seeing Tobias – Bunting’s eldest son – cheering him from the side lines. This obvious family connection shows a ground -floor relay that has helped the bullet charm its path in the hearts of many fans Darts.
“He represents a normal working class and I think he is a role model. But he is so open and beautiful with fans,” Wellens added.
Michael Bridge echoed this opinion.
“You can say that he is a beautiful person. He is also a very good player,” he emphasized.
So, starting with the Premier League 2025. Just around the corner, we will soon find out if the Bunting train will continue the full steam forward and reach more dizzy height.
Sky Sports will again be home to the Premier League 2025, and every night he lives solely with the world match, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam from Darts and more! No Sky? Get Sky Sports or Stream without a contract now.
