"For me, that's the pinnacle. You can’t get any better than winning a World Championship" - Stephen Bunting ready to quit darts if he tastes success at Alexandra Palace

Stephen Bunting knows exactly what he wants and everything revolves around one goal: to become world champion at Alexandra Palace. The 40-year-old Englishman is even willing to end his career immediately if that would be the price for ultimate success at the PDC World Darts Championship. So says the current number four in the world rankings in an interview with talkSPORT.

When asked if he would want to win the World Championship if it meant never being allowed to hold an arrow again after that, Bunting was resolute. “Yeah, I think I want to win the World Championships that much," he stated. “You’ve completed it if you win the Worlds. For me, that's the pinnacle. You can’t get any better than winning a World Championship. I believe I’ve still got ten years left in this sport. I’d love to win a World Championship and if that was the option, I’d choose it of course.”

Bunting reached the semifinals last year, in which he was eliminated by the later world champion Luke Littler by a huge margin: 6-1. Still, he looks back on last season with confidence and feels ready to go even further this time around.

“I’m really looking forward to it to be honest,” he stated. “I’m coming in as world No.4, playing some fantastic darts and I just can’t wait to get started. I’ll have a few days prep before it all kicks off but I’ll make sure I’m ready for that first game."

The Englishman speaks of a successful year on the tour. “I think I’ve had a successful year so far. There’s been bits that I've not been happy with but winning a few World Series events, getting myself up to world No.4, competing in the Premier League and winning on the European Tour and the Pro Tour. A lot of things to smile about and just keeping myself positive as well. Even in defeats, not looking too much into it, taking the positives out of that game and then moving onto the next tournament.”

Aside from sporting ambitions, Bunting is especially looking forward to the unique atmosphere in London around the holidays. “I think Ally Pally at Christmas time, driving up the hill to the venue, Seeing everyone dressed as traffic cones, Superman, Spiderman. It’s just a really great vibe," Bunting said. "It’s a special venue, the fans there are always polite. Thankfully, I’ve got a great fan base and it's the best place ever to play darts."

He does not rule out the possibility of another showdown with Luke Littler. The two have a good relationship off the court, but on the podium, only the title counts. "That was the plan last year, to beat him," Bunting looks back. "I lost to him in the semifinals and he ended up taking the title. He’s a fantastic player but there’s several fantastic players who are going to be there at Ally Pally. There’s only one person who can lift that trophy and I’ve just got to make sure my name is in that hat."

Bunting knows he must perform at his top level to prevent Littler's title. "Whoever comes my way needs to be demolished," he says combatively. "I’ll be doing what I can between now and the world final to make sure of that. I’m in great shape, I’m playing my best darts. I’m mentally prepared and I want to make sure I give something to the Bunting army to cheer about and shout me home."