BUNTING HITS BACK AT PREMIER LEAGUE CRITICS

STEPHEN BUNTING has fired back at the backlash over his selection for this year’s Premier League Darts line-up.

World No.7 Bunting finished bottom of the table in the weekly invitational tournament on his return last season after a ten-year absence.

‘The Bullet’ failed to reach the semi-final of a single major event in 2025 with his form dipping on the big stage.

But the St Helens thrower did thrive on the ProTour picking up two Players Championship titles and winning two Euro Tour crowns. He also triumphed at two World Series events. 

Bunting believes his place in the Premier League was fully justified.

He told the Love the Darts Podcast: “I was number four for, what, ten months of the year. 

“I had a great start to the year, not the best end to the year, so I can understand why people were saying I shouldn’t be in. I still feel like I’ve got a lot to give.  

“Not just playing darts, but the fan base, the walk-on, everything like that. 

“I didn’t have the greatest campaign last year but I showed what a fighter I was. 

“I ended up winning a night in Berlin. I believe I had one of the highest tournament averages last year, so there were several positives.” 

The 40-year-old was knocked out in round two of the Winmau World Masters after losing 4-0 to Danny Noppert. 

Bunting shrugged off claims that others should have been picked ahead of him and suggestions the format should be expanded beyond eight players. 

He added “I’m honestly not bothered. As long as I’m in it, I couldn’t give two hoots. 

“I was in ten finals and I won six of them. I’m still number seven in the world. 

“I believe I should have been in the Premier League and I’m in it. 

“I’m going to prove to every single person why I deserve to be there.” 

The former BDO world champion opened up on the unwarranted online abuse he has faced and how hypnotherapy has helped transform his mindset.

He continued: “My management and my missus look at the social media side of things. 

“I still see the odd comment pop through, but those people that are very negative — some of them are just idiots, really. 

“They put these stories out and stuff I saw one the other day that I am retiring.  

“If I believed the stuff I read on social media I would have packed in a long time ago. 

“I’m back on top of the hypnotherapy as well.  

“It’s something I probably slacked away from a bit last season, and that’s on me. 

“The way he describes it is you’ve got a bucket in your brain. 

“Every negative thought or emotion goes into that bucket. Eventually it overflows — and that’s where stress, anxiety and dartitis come from. 

“A 40-minute session is the equivalent of four hours REM sleep. 

“I feel fresh. I feel positive. I’m talking positively with a smile on my face.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.