Professional darts player Stephen Bunting has developed a thicker skin when it comes to online criticism, viewing it as an inherent part of the competitive game. Bunting, who has become a popular figure in the sport, acknowledged that he has faced scrutiny regarding his performances and a particular press conference during the World Championship.
"I'm definitely more thick-skinned now than I've got a team that work looking after me messages and stuff like that," Bunting stated in a recent interview. "So it's part of the game. You know what's going to happen if you have a bad performance. You know there's going to be a lot of hatred in there because people have lost three quid, but, yeah, that's just part and parcel."
To manage the influx of online comments, Bunting has a team that filters his messages, blocking negative feedback and highlighting positive ones. This strategy allows him to focus on the supportive messages, even after defeats or subpar performances. Bunting has cultivated a significant online presence, amassing nearly a million followers across TikTok and Instagram combined. He emphasizes the importance of connecting with fans and showcasing his personality beyond his performance on the oche.
His distinctive walk-on to David Guetta's "Titanium" and his catchphrase "Bunting Mental" have contributed to his mainstream appeal, largely driven by fan engagement. Bunting believes that showing personality is crucial, as fans often only see the back of a player's head or the dartboard. His efforts to provide behind-the-scenes content through platforms like YouTube have also inspired other darts players to engage more with their audience.
Bunting's career has seen him reach a career-high ranking of fourth in the world and secure over £600,000 in prize money in the last two years. He reached the semi-finals of the 2025 World Championship and the quarter-finals of the Matchplay last year. Despite a second-round exit from the recent Matchplay event, Bunting remains focused on achieving success for the remainder of the year, including the BOYLE Sports Grand Prix in September.
The player's social media engagement originated from a casual video with his son, Tobias, and has since become a significant aspect of his public persona. "I don't do the social media for the money side," Bunting explained. "When I first started on TikTok, it was just because my son literally said, 'Let's do a silly video together', and we've just continued to try and grow that."
Away from darts, Bunting's primary focuses are his family and his lifelong support for Liverpool Football Club. His son, Tobias, who is 14, is described as his biggest supporter and a keen darts player himself. Bunting aims to balance his son's involvement in darts with his schoolwork and other interests like golf, emphasizing that he will not put undue pressure on him to pursue a professional career.
Bunting also shared his thoughts on Liverpool Football Club's recent managerial transition, expressing optimism for the new coaching setup. He previously managed at Bournemouth and is seen as an attacking-minded coach, a style that Bunting believes will suit the Liverpool squad.
Following a break, Bunting is preparing for a busy schedule for the latter half of the year, aiming to defend prize money and continue his pursuit of achievements in the sport. He is scheduled to compete in the BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix of Darts in Leicester from September 28th to October 4th.