''People are calling me the people’s champion'' - Stephen Bunting goes from rock bottom to winning a PDC major

What a career Stephen Bunting has had. From a teenage sensation, starting his darting career at the age of 12, Bunting started getting noticed after winning the British Teenage Open and the World Youth Masters in 2001, then the WDF Europe Youth Cup in 2002. It was clear British darts had a new talent bursting through.

At 18 years old Bunting chose the BDO to play his darts and continued to achieve success, becoming the BDO number one, two-times BDO World Masters Champion and BDO World Champion in 2014.

It was as the BDO World Champion that Bunting made the jump to the PDC with a great fanfare. His talent was impossible to ignore and people had been eagerly awaiting Bunting making the jump to the PDC and the fresh match-ups that came with it.

''I had Sky Sports following me round for the first two days'', he told MDA Events. That was a bit strange, it did make me a bit more nervous, but the confidence thing for me was brilliant and I could thrive on that. The hardest thing that I found – moving from the BDO to the PDC was the venues. It was total silence, you can’t even have your phone on in the room, from that to playing in front of four or five thousand people in Blackpool all screaming your name.''

Bunting’s PDC debut year was one of the most successful debuts of all time and is still looked on fondly to this day. However in the decade since then it has not been all plain sailing for The Bullet. Bunting suffered the pressure and stress of elite level darts and had to seek professional help to help him conquer his mental health and improve his darts.

''When I was playing BDO I was number one for two years, you come over on the crest of a wave and feeling unbeatable, as soon as you start getting a few pins in that bubble and start losing, you obviously feel deflated. I had to go and see a sports psychologist to change the way I was thinking. I was starting to feel horrible, not just at the events but even when I was coming home.''

At his worst Bunting openly admits he was prepared to walk away and end the career in the sport that he loved at his lowest. It is this honesty and sharing of these personal moments that has endeared the public to Stephen Bunting and why his comeback to the top of his game and 2024 Masters win is all the sweeter for the fans and for Bunting himself.

''The fanbase that I have built over the last 2 years…People are calling me the people’s champion! To get back in them arenas, playing in front of the fans would be a massive boost.''

It seems Bunting has found his best form at exactly the right time – with the 2024 darts calendar filling up, Bunting is a rare mix of decades of experience in high pressure darts games, a former World Champion who still has a lot to prove after winning his maiden PDC trophy. This mix of talent, experience and form could make The Bullet a very difficult opponent in the upcoming tours and tournaments, and even a potential winner.

''This shows how far my game has come in the last 12-18 months. I want to be playing in these tournaments, I have shouted out loud for long enough now and I believe my performances have led me to that place. I just have to keep it up.''

It seems that Bunting has finally got the monkey off his back and delivered on the promise he entered the PDC with back in 2014. An incredible journey from World Champion to rock bottom and ready to quit to achieving a PDC major trophy and reaching the top of the mountain once again. What makes Bunting unique is the fact he has experienced the elite level of both the BDO and PDC already and this time around he is older and wiser, but still just as dedicated, passionate and hungry for success.

''Obviously you are always looking for that maiden title on the biggest stages in the PDC. The Masters has come and gone now. I was capable to do that and beating the players that I did on the big stage was a massive confidence boost for me, showing that I have got the game to beat these players and I know I can do it again. Whether it be the Matchplay, the World Championship, or the Grand Slam, I will be trying 110%.''