“That support matters when you’re on that stage, it’s a lonely place” - Emotional Stephen Bunting tearfully thanks fans for support after difficult week

Stephen Bunting booked his place in the third round of the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace without too many problems. With a convincing 3-0 win over Nitin Kumar, the world number four showed why he still belongs among the sport’s elite. But afterwards, Bunting was typically grounded. No big statements, no chest thumping, just calm realism and a clear focus on what matters most right now: enjoying Christmas with his family, then returning refreshed.

“To win any game on the world stage is great,” Bunting said afterwards. “Thankfully I was able to make it not too stressful for myself. I thought I played a decent game. My finishing was good, and to get over the line was special.”

That desire to get the job done quickly was not an accident. In the first round, Bunting had allowed a comfortable 2-0 lead against Sebastian Bialecki to slip before eventually getting through. The experience was still fresh. “I sort of dipped a bit, fell asleep, so to say,” he admitted. “But I was able to pull the levels back. There was a big finish in there that picked me up. He missed quite a few doubles as well and I was able to get over the line.”

That, in his view, was the value of coming through round one. It gave him the chance to go into the break with breathing space. “I’ve worked really hard,” Bunting said. “It was so important to get through that game, get into Christmas, spend a great Christmas with the family and forget about darts for a few days.”

With 53 percent on the doubles, Bunting once again delivered strong finishing numbers on the biggest stage of the year. And when he talks about Alexandra Palace, it is clear why it still brings the best out of him. “If you can’t get up for playing at Ally Pally in the World Championships, you shouldn’t be playing darts,” he said. “For me, it’s the greatest venue.”

“The atmosphere tonight was special,” Bunting added. “I felt it from the walk-on, from the singing of Angels. It’s a special place to play. I had the fans on my side and that helped me get over the line as quickly as I did.”

In round three, he is due to face James Hurrell, who caught the eye with his win over Dirk van Duijvenbode. But Bunting refused to look too far ahead or load unnecessary pressure onto his shoulders. “It’s Christmas now,” he said. “I’m going to enjoy family time, opening presents with the kids, and forget about darts for a bit. People are already talking about winning the title and we’re only in the last 32. There’s a long way to go.”

He summed up the mindset simply. “It’s step by step, leg by leg, dart by dart, set by set,” Bunting said.

Despite two wins, Bunting was still critical of his overall level. “Probably seven,” he said when asked to rate his game. “Better than average, but there’s room for improvement.”

“My finishing has been on point, 53 percent is great,” he continued. “But my scoring was there in patches. I won the game, and that’s all you can ask.”

Even so, he stressed the work he has been putting in away from the stage. “I’ve been working hard behind the scenes,” Bunting said. “I’ve been on the practice board.”

And as world number four, he made clear he wants to justify that status and climb higher. “I’m world number four and I want to show why, and move up that ranking,” he said.

Bunting also revealed he has not been at full health across his opening matches. “What people don’t realise is I’ve not been well,” he said. “You can hear it in my voice, I’ve had flu and a cough.”

“I found a way through it,” he added. “Hopefully next time I come back I’ll feel a lot better.”

That is one more reason the Christmas gap feels useful. He wants to switch off properly, then return fresh. “Family time is important,” Bunting said. “I’ve got a one-year-old son and I can’t wait to spend time with him.”

Bunting also addressed the reaction he has seen online in recent days, after a comment that sparked criticism. He insisted it had been taken out of context, and stressed that social media can distort reality. “Sometimes I look at social media and I’ve had a bit of stick,” he said. “People online are fickle.”

But he pointed to the atmosphere in the room at Ally Pally as a truer reflection of his support. “You see the crowd in there tonight, they’re proper darts fans,” Bunting said. “They know what I’m about.”

He also spoke about how important supporters have been to him, and became emotional while describing what their backing can mean on stage. “That support matters when you’re on that stage, it’s a lonely place,” he said before having to pause the press conference as he broke down in tears.

Asked whether he would rather look back or look ahead in his career, Bunting’s answer was clear. “The future,” he said. “I’m still only 40. There’s more to come.”

“I wouldn’t play darts if I didn’t believe that,” he added.

For now, though, his plan is simple. “I’ve got the mentality to switch off, spend time with my family, and come back fresh,” Bunting said.