Stephen Bunting target of vile online abuse following shock World Grand Prix exit: "Losing doesn’t deserve this"

Stephen Bunting has spoken out after receiving a torrent of online abuse in the wake of his 2025 World Grand Prix defeat to Danny Noppert on Wednesday night in Leicester, calling out those who directed “vile” messages at him following his second-round exit.

The world number four, who battled through visible discomfort during the contest, was eliminated in a 3–1 defeat despite flashes of brilliance — including a superb 125 checkout to keep himself alive. Yet rather than appreciation for his effort, Bunting found himself the subject of personal attacks on social media within hours of the match finishing.

Taking to X and Facebook, the 39-year-old shared screenshots of messages sent to his accounts, highlighting the ugly side of online fandom that too often follows sporting setbacks.

"Back so sore. Couldn’t force my darts up. Tried stretching and just made it worse. How I won so many legs I don’t know. The crowd knew I was in pain. Pity the social media full of negativity. Well done to Danny you played well," he wrote on his X account.

Going into more depth on Facebook, Bunting showed off screenshots of the horror his inbox had been filled with immediately following his defeat. "Losing doesn’t deserve this much abuse," he wrote. "So sad to see."

And in the images, the vileness of the messages were clear for all to see. Several replies included personal insults and taunts about his appearance, whilst others blamed Bunting for costing them money as their bets failed because of his defeat. 

The episode once again throws a spotlight on the toxic undercurrent that persists in online sport communities, where players are routinely subjected to abuse after defeats. It’s a problem that darts, like many sports, has struggled to curb, particularly as its stars become more accessible via social media.

Bunting has long been one of the game’s most respected figures, known for his professionalism and approachability. His public stand will no doubt draw widespread support from fellow players and fans, with it going without saying that such abuse being sent to a player is completely unacceptable in any circumstances.

As Noppert moves on to a quarter-final clash with Gary Anderson, Bunting’s campaign ends not just with physical pain, but with a reminder of the mental strain that can come with performing under the spotlight. For a player who’s rebuilt his career through hard work and consistency, his message was simple: losing is part of sport — hate should never be.