Stephen Bunting Overcome with Emotion After Facing Online Backlash at World Darts Championship
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A wave of emotion washed over professional darts player Stephen Bunting as he discussed the intense online criticism he’s received during the World Darts Championship. The fourth seed secured a commanding 3-0 victory over India’s nitin Kumar at Alexandra Palace on Thursday, averaging 94.11 while losing only two legs, but the win was overshadowed by the emotional toll of recent events.
The Controversy and Initial Reaction
The scrutiny began after Bunting referred to himself as “the people’s champion†following his opening-round win against Sebastian Bialecki. “I’ve had some stick over social media,†Bunting admitted, his voice cracking with emotion during a post-match interview. He was quick to clarify that the remark wasn’t self-proclaimed,but rather a reflection of commentary from Sky Sports and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). “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.â€
The backlash, Bunting revealed, extended beyond the typical social media platforms. “I’ve had quite a few emails as well,†he stated,adding,“But I need to rise above that. people online are fickle.†Speaking to talkSport, the player described some of the messages as “really hurtful†and conceded that he should refrain from reading online comments.
The Isolation of the Stage and Fears of a Opposed Crowd
The pressure of the situation weighed heavily on Bunting, who confessed to feeling isolated while on stage at Alexandra Palace. “when you’re stood up on that stage it’s a lonely place, and if things don’t go right you can look at your family, look at your manager or sponsors, but it’s down to you,†he explained. He admitted to anxieties about how the crowd might react, fearing the online negativity would translate into a hostile atmosphere. “I had a bit of hate online and I thoght that was going to relate into the game, to be honest.â€
A Supportive Crowd and a Dedicated Fanbase
fortunately, Bunting was met with overwhelming support from the crowd at Alexandra Palace throughout his dominant performance. He expressed gratitude for their unwavering backing. The popular player, known for his entrance music — David Guetta’s ‘Titanium’ — also highlighted his commitment to engaging with fans.
Here is a link to a post about the event on X/Twitter: https://x.com/DARTSNOW
Bunting emphasized his active presence on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, stating, “I like to give back to the fans through YouTube, TikTok, through everything I do. If they see me in a pub or wherever, Tesco or a shopping centre, I’ll always give time to the fans.†He believes he has the largest fanbase in darts and values their contribution to his career. His YouTube channel has surpassed 100,000 subscribers, demonstrating his strong connection with supporters.
Looking Ahead
The former Lakeside world champion will now spend Christmas with his family before returning to competition on Saturday to face fellow Englishman James Hurrell in the last 32.
