Bunting breaks silence on family abuse after “people’s champion” comment

STEPHEN BUNTING has revealed his son Tobi was bullied at school and his family was targeted online after his “people’s champion” comment.

The world No9 admitted the abuse aimed at his loved ones “hurt more than anything” following widespread criticism of the remark.

Bunting, 41, made the comment after beating Nitin Kumar 3-0 at the World Championship and insists it was completely misunderstood.

He told Oche180: “X or Twitter, as it was formerly known, I have come off that platform. Although, I am still there as a small presence.

“I still manage most of the other platforms. It was just X I was getting a bit of rubbish.

“When you come off a game and you are in the heat of the moment. Obviously, Sky and ITV were using that. I won’t say it, what it is.

“They were using that and I went off the back of that. It was taken well out of context and I got a lot of stick for that.”

The Bullet was left frustrated by the reaction and insisted the admission was never intended to portray himself as some kind of self-appointed fan favourite.

He added: “I think sometimes you have to think a tiny bit before you say it. I think one of the questions leading up to that was something like Nitin Kumar has got a massive fanbase.

“So, I was just batting that back to whoever asked that question. I was literally just saying I have a big following myself.

“It was not just me who got stick. It was members of my family which hurt more than anything.

“I try my best on all my platforms to give 100 per cent. Whatever I am doing whether that be interviews, Youtube or my tiktok.

“I always try to be as genuine as I can. On that occasion it backfired.”

Bunting disclosed his son Tobi had also been targeted at school, forcing him to take action to keep him safe.

He continued: “Tobi is always protected. He was getting bullied in school and I put him into a private school to help him with that.

“He is flourishing even more now. He is such a lovely boy. Some of the stick he got was through my channel.

“So I just had to hide that from him. I will do anything for him. I love him to bits. He is my biggest fan.

“I would never stop him from coming to the darts. He loves coming there. He loves the camera being in his face.

“I always tell him to be more active on socials. I think he is a star in his own right.

“You will see a lot more of him especially on the YouTube channel.”

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Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning