Stephen Bunting has spoken out after revealing that his 13-year-old son has been subjected to online abuse following the dart star’s early exit from the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship.
The former world number four said the situation has left him and his family feeling hurt, describing the comments directed at his son as deeply upsetting and unacceptable.
Bunting Reacts After Shock World Darts Championship Defeat
Bunting, 40, suffered one of the biggest shocks of the tournament on Saturday when he was eliminated in a dramatic 4–3 defeat to James Hurrell, the world number 63, at Alexandra Palace.
The result made Bunting the highest-ranked player to be knocked out of this year’s championship so far and could have significant implications for his Premier League Darts qualification.
During the closely fought seven-set match, television cameras frequently showed Bunting’s son in the crowd, enthusiastically supporting his father in what was an emotional and tense contest.
Online Abuse Directed at Bunting’s Son
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Bunting explained that he had taken time away from social media to recover from the defeat and process what had followed.
He said the abuse aimed at his son had been particularly painful for the family, adding that his children often try to shield him from negative online comments.
“They see the negative comments and do their best to make sure I don’t see them – and even [my son] has had some hate from some of the trolls online, which really is hurtful for us as a family,” Bunting wrote.
Bunting described his son as “one of the nicest kids you could wish to meet” and confirmed that he plans to spend more time with him at darts events and through social media in the year ahead.
Family Support Remains Central to Bunting’s Career
Despite the disappointment of his early exit, Bunting stressed that his family remains his biggest source of motivation and that he is determined to continue competing at the highest level.
“I love my family so much and they give me massive motivation to continue this journey. I still believe I have a lot to give darts over the rest of my career and I want to make them forever proud.”
Known as “The Bullet”, Bunting has regularly shared moments with his son at tournaments and on social media, highlighting the close bond between them and the role family plays in his professional life.
Premier League Darts Qualification at Risk
Bunting’s defeat to Hurrell could have wider consequences beyond the World Championship. His early exit is likely to see him drop outside the world’s top four, putting his automatic qualification for the 2026 Premier League Darts campaign in jeopardy.
The Premier League features a limited field of elite players and is one of the most lucrative and high-profile events on the darts calendar, making qualification highly competitive.
Online Abuse in Sport Under Scrutiny
The incident adds to growing concerns around online abuse in sport, particularly when it involves players’ families and children. Athletes across multiple sports have increasingly spoken out about the impact of social media harassment, with governing bodies and platforms under pressure to do more to protect users.
Bunting’s comments underline the emotional toll such abuse can take, even when directed away from the athletes themselves.
Looking Ahead
While his World Darts Championship campaign has ended earlier than expected, Bunting has made clear that he remains committed to the sport and focused on the future. With major ranking events still to come, he will aim to rebuild momentum and continue competing among the world’s best.
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