“It would be sad to move away from Ally Pally” - Stephen Bunting not a fan of PDC president Barry Hearn's plans
PDC
Stephen Bunting was the best at Masters early this year, immediately the first major title of his career. The 39-year-old Englishman starts this year's World Darts Championship as the eighth seed, although he also knows that the eyes will mainly be on a compatriot of his.
That compatriot is Luke Littler. The 17-year-old Englishman surprised the darts world early this year by reaching the final of the World Darts Championship as a non-Tour Card holder at the time. In that final he eventually lost 7-4 to Luke Humphries, but afterwards Littler only confirmed all the good things that have been said about him. In his debut year on the Pro Tour, for example, he won no fewer than 10 titles, including majors such as the Premier League Darts and the Grand Slam of Darts.
"What Luke has done for our sport in such a short space of time is just incredible, and he is the name on everybody's lips," Bunting said to Sky Sports.
"He's a megastar and he's taken our sport to the top echelons. We were already up there for viewing figures behind Premier League football, but it is now at another level.
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Bunting himself is exempt in the first round of this year's World Darts Championship as the eighth series head. He then takes on the winner of the duel between Alan Soutar and Kai Gotthardt. It may be one of the last World Championships in Alexandra Palace, as PDC president Barry Hearn has repeatedly announced that he is looking forward to a larger venue to meet the demand for tickets.
"In my eyes it would be sad to move away from Ally Pally because it is an unbelievable place for darts," said Bunting.
"You go there each year and there's people dressed as Christmas trees and Batman and Robin. It's a special place for players, officials and fans and it's just a special venue."
Stephen Bunting hails teen prodigy Luke Littler for elevating darts to new heights ahead of the PDC World Championship! https://t.co/sf4EckJ7y8 pic.twitter.com/ocZoHYXSRc
— Lion Cass🦁 (@cryptoLionCass) December 8, 2024
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- Premier League is nothing more now than a pantomime where the crowd turn up and boo at the villain and cheer on the hero while getting pissed out their brains. Basically its the WWE of darts.Mysstree09-01-2025
- Is this the start of an attempt to say that he (Littler) is the best ever as he has won most money. Perhaps adjust all prize money earned by allowing for inflation. If Littler gets close too (does not even have to overtake) both MVG’s and Taylor’s Major titles total then he is in the conversation. Indicates to me that the prize money is skewed to much towards the top players, meritocracy must rule but a fair distribution of the money is needed otherwise its only ever about a select few.Mysstree09-01-2025
- £500 for 3 games seems so steep especially for those that lost 5-0 each time. I used to think Conan Whitehead was going to be a great player and was improving through the BDO but has just fizzled outrichieburnettrocks09-01-2025
- COME ON RICHIE BURNETT Safely through to the final stage an closing in on that card.richieburnettrocks09-01-2025
- It is shocking and unbelievable that 2 Hotty who was always such a decent player, 2 time World Champion and won the Grand Slam when it meant something. He really should have joined the PDC earlier. He has just disappeared off the radar. Such a shame when one of your favourite players just dissappears. I guess he is concentrating on the carpentry. I made a sign at Lakeside which must have been the biggest ever. It said we're potty for 2 Hotty, each word was on its own flip chart sheet of paper and gaffer taped together. Maybe Scotty should return to the WDF or whatever it is now.richieburnettrocks09-01-2025
- What the hell has happened to Scott Waites, didn’t even win a point.Mysstree08-01-2025
- One mistake is often followed by another, and the PDC have compounded their unimaginative PL picks with a doppelganger cast for the World Series. What an opportunity missed. It hurts the overburdened eight, it hurts the overlooked, it hurts the fans. Who gains? No one I can think of, not even the PDC shareholders.
UndartedWaters08-01-2025 - No, I wasn't expecting Heta to be in it either having won nothing of any significance. Although he is charismatic and has personality unlike the boring and dull as dishwater Dobey. It is quite pathetic and desperate the way Bunting and Arsepinall pander to the crowd to dance to their walk on music, that has worked though. I would like to see more players involved on a weekly basis similar to the Modus Super Series. A knockout tournament with 16 winners from each week. The Premier league is too boring with the same players. Plus it would eliminate all the whining and booing from unselected players.richieburnettrocks07-01-2025
- Why is World Champion Richie Burnett not highlighted in bold font nor 2 time World Champion Scotty 2 Hotty. COME ON RICHIE BURNETT AND SCOTTY 2 HOTTY Although where the hell has 2 HOTTY been the past year!richieburnettrocks07-01-2025
- It's not tennis, snooker or golf, nobody mentioned Fallon,great as she is. Beau beats her week in,week out. But she isn't interested. If you want to include crowd pleasers,get Les Wallace back!!! He was a world champion,and wore a kilt!!!rick6707-01-2025