BUNTING BACKED BY FOOTBALL STARS AMID ONLINE ABUSE

STEPHEN BUNTING revealed he has received support from ex-England aces John Terry and Michael Owen as he battles online abuse.

‘The Bullet’ ended a run of THREE straight defeats to win Night Four of the Premier League in Belfast after beating Gian van Veen 6-2 in the final. 

World No.6 Bunting has come under fire in recent weeks, with trolls targeting him on social media and even questioning his inclusion in the lineup. 

Bunting admitted messages from big sporting names have helped lift him during difficult moments. 

He said: “It’s amazing, to be honest, the people that reach out to you on social media. 

“I’ve had Michael Owen giving me some words of wisdom as well. 

“Obviously John Terry, so that can make you feel better in yourself. 

“You look at your DMs or the podcasts and stuff like that where they’re all talking about you. 

“They were talking about me having to be troublesome and push people off stage. 

“Thankfully I didn’t have to do that.” 

The Liverpudlian now sits fifth in the table and picked up a tidy £10,000 top prize for his triumph. 

Bunting made it clear he will not let keyboard warriors change who he is. 

He added: “They’re the genuine fans. The people who are doubting are the people who hide behind fake profiles and call abuse. 

“They don’t even deserve my breath, to be honest. I’ve pulled away from social media. 

“That is part of my characteristics and who I am, whether you see me in the street or in an interview or on the stage. 

“In Tesco, shopping and getting a bacon butty, I’m always the same person and I am the most approachable darts player on the planet.

“I always have time for the fans but sometimes idiots do creep into your DMs and on socials. 

“It can affect you and get you down to the point where you feel worthless. 

“Luckily, I have managed to block them out. I have a fantastic family and management around me. 

“You saw tonight I have an unbelievable fanbase. I’d like to thank all of them tonight because they were truly special.”