"Love Liverpool so I like a Liver bird but none of them have robbed my ice cream!" – Stephen Bunting reveals unusual phobia

Stephen Bunting will line up at the Winmau World Masters next week with one clear goal: to make history again. The 40-year-old Englishman, currently world number seven, wants to reclaim the title he already won two years ago. Yet his pursuit of success comes with a striking personal detail: Bunting has had a lifelong fear of swans.

That unusual phobia came to light recently during a playful prank by bookmaker Paddy Power. In a sketch, Bunting was asked by a fake interviewer — prompted by Sky Sports presenter Emma Paton — about a supposed fear of geese. What was meant as a joke turned out to be closer to the truth than anyone expected.

“I didn’t know what was going on and wondered how they found out about the swan incident," said Bunting.

The cause of his fear goes back to his youth. During a family day out at Lake Windermere, things went wrong. “I was only very young and we’d gone out as a family to Lake Windermere. I was eating an ice cream and a swan came over and took it. I have feared the swans ever since."

According to Bunting, the incident has had lasting consequences. "The ice cream cost my mum and dad three quid and I’ve never ever had an ice cream where swans are ever since. I just avoid swans at all cost if I can."

He can laugh about it now, though. “I love Liverpool so I like a Liver bird but none of them have robbed my ice cream!”

Despite his fear of anything with feathers and a long neck, Bunting feels confident heading into the tournament at Arena MK. In 2024 he already lifted the Winmau World Masters there, a victory that had a rather special epilogue as his wife had a baby nine months later.

Now ‘The Bullet’ hopes to shine on stage once more. His form has been steady in recent years, and as a seasoned campaigner he knows what it takes to strike at the big moments. He sees the World Masters as a perfect chance to reaffirm his status.

Beyond darts, there is another great love in Bunting’s life: Liverpool FC. He has a clear view on that as well, although as a supporter he tries to stay loyal above all. “I think we still need to stick behind the team regardless of what happens."

Bunting recently watched a Liverpool match from abroad. “I watched the Burnley game in a bar in Bahrain. I’d say in the first half we absolutely dominated that game. To end up drawing is not the Liverpool way."

According to the darts player, the team currently lacks attacking conviction. “We just don’t seem to be as attacking and sit back on a 1-0 lead. Things need to change.

The transfer policy also raises questions for Bunting. “Letting Marc Guehi go to Man City for £20million is not something we would haven’t done last year. So I don’t understand what’s happening behind the scenes and whether the board are not backing Arne Slot in the transfer market.”

He takes rumors about possible new managers with a pinch of salt.

“I’ve heard a few stories that they could be after the guy from PSG Luis Enrique. And then Xabi Alonso is free as well. No matter what I say, it’s not going to make an ounce of difference!

For now, Bunting is fully focused on his sport. With the Winmau World Masters around the corner, he mainly wants to show that he still belongs at the very top — with or without swans nearby.