"We’ve seen how he’s reacted to negative comments" - Stephen Bunting urged to avoid social media amid swirling discontent

Stephen Bunting is on the verge of a new Premier League Darts campaign, but according to former professional darter Matt Edgar, the Englishman would be wise to protect himself better not only on the oche but also mentally.

Edgar advises “The Bullet” to bring in a social media manager after Bunting recently spoke openly about the heavy online abuse he and even his son faced following his early exit at the recent 2026 PDC World Darts Championship.

The world number seven endured a disappointing return to the Alexandra Palace, going out in the last 32 to James Hurrell. That defeat sparked a wave of negative reactions on social media.

Bunting revealed that not only he, but also his family became targets of hurtful messages. The incident once again underlined how thin the line is between popularity and public backlash in modern darts.

According to Matt Edgar, the upcoming Premier League Darts could be crucial in how Bunting develops over the coming months. Speaking on Sky Sports' Love the Darts podcast, Edgar stressed that a poor start in the weekly competition can trigger a dangerous downward spiral, both on and off the stage.

“I think he’s got to start this well. If he starts off poorly, he’s going to go into that chase," Edgar explains. “Not only that, we know he’s on the social media, we know people are going to jump in."

Bunting is known for his direct contact with fans. Through his YouTube channel The Bunting Effect and his active presence on platforms like X and Instagram, he has built a huge following in recent years. The iconic chant “Let’s go Bunting mental” has become a fixture in darts arenas. His accessibility is often praised, but Edgar warns that this openness also leaves him exposed.

“If he starts this poorly and he doesn’t pick up, I would even say during the Premier League, get a social media manager because we’ve seen how he’s reacted to negative comments," Edgar says. “We saw how emotional he got during the World Championship. He needs to stay away from being exposed to that."

According to Edgar, this doesn’t necessarily have to be a professional manager, but someone who acts as a filter. “He needs to put someone in as a filter, whether that’s a family member or a social media manager. Filter what it is, because at the moment, he’s in an unfiltered world where anyone can access him. And if he puts someone in place who can sort of, right, he doesn’t need to read that, send him that through, send him that through, that I think is key to him here.”

The call comes at a time when Bunting’s selection for the Premier League Darts is being questioned by some fans and analysts. Last year he finished bottom of the table, and he has struggled to make an impact at the big TV events lately. In his last six majors, he has failed to progress beyond the third round.

With the Premier League Darts around the corner, a lot is on the line for the 40-year-old Liverpudlian. Not just competitively, but mentally as well. In an era where elite athletes are increasingly confronted with online abuse and extreme opinions, Edgar’s call seems more relevant than ever.