Stephen Bunting has spoken out against online trolls who directed abuse at his son Toby, releasing an emotional statement on Instagram in the wake of his World Darts Championship exit.
The 40-year-old, ranked fourth in the world, was knocked out of the Alexandra Palace tournament on Saturday after losing a closely contested 4-3 match to James Hurrell.
In his statement, Bunting revealed the toll that online harassment has taken on his family, disclosing that his son has been targeted by trolls.
“Even Toby has had some hate from some of the trolls online, which really is hurtful for us as a family,” Bunting wrote.Please write at least 2 paragraphs
The darts star expressed deep gratitude for his family’s dedication, acknowledging they sacrifice time with him while he pursues his career.
“I love my family so much and they give me massive motivation to continue this journey,” he said.
Bunting explained that his relatives actively work to protect him from negative commentary online.
Stephen Bunting was left frustrated following his exit from the World Darts Championship
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PA“They see the negative comments and do their best to make sure I don’t see them,” he wrote.
The world No 4 defended his son against the online attacks, describing him in glowing terms.
“Toby is one of the nicest kids you could wish to meet and I’ll be doing a lot more social stuff with him this coming year,” Bunting added.
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The online abuse began after Bunting’s first round victory over Sebastian Białecki, when he referred to himself as “The People’s Champion” during media interviews.
The comment sparked a wave of hostile messages, leaving Bunting visibly upset when he later addressed the backlash.
“I’ve had some stick over social media,” he said through tears. “That was literally a comment from what Sky have said, what PDC have said. It wasn’t me saying I’m the People’s Champion. I was just talking about what was said.”
Bunting clarified his position, stating: “Listen, I’m not the people’s champion. I turn up. I’ll try my best to win any game. I’ll give 110 per cent.”
Despite the negativity, Bunting acknowledged the overwhelming support he receives from genuine darts enthusiasts across various platforms.
“The fans have been unbelievable. Support on TikTok or Instagram, I’ve hit over 100,000 (subscribers) on YouTube,” he said.
James Hurrell was too strong for Stephen Bunting in their World Darts Championship clash
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The St Helens thrower emphasised his dedication to engaging with supporters, whether through social media or chance encounters in everyday settings.
“If they see me in a pub or wherever, Tesco or a shopping centre, I’ll always give time to the fans,” he explained.Please write at least 4 paragraphs
“They’re so important. They’ve been a massive part of my career so far.”
Bunting remains confident in his standing within the sport, declaring: “I still think I’ve got the biggest fan base in darts. I’m lucky.”
