Stephen Bunting has spoken out after suffering his eighth consecutive defeat in this year’s Premier League Darts against Luke Littler on Thursday night. The Bullet started the action in Newcastle and couldn’t have faced a harsher assignment as Littler, the eventual nightly winner for a fourth time in eight weeks, stormed to a demoralising 6-0 whitewash.
Bunting is slumped at rock bottom of the Premier League table, having lost all eight of his matches with a -28 leg difference, picking up just 20 legs. The world No. 4 is in the competition on merit and started his 2025 season by winning the Bahrain Masters, having reached the World Darts Championships semi-finals at the start of January. However, he can’t seem to get going in the Premier League and has faced a boatload of abuse and criticism for his underwhelming exploits so far.
On Friday, Bunting responded to two supportive posts on X, assuring his fans that he was in high spirits despite his ongoing nightmare on the Prem oche.
@mogsyboy sent: “Chin up mate, ignore the haters, you know what you are capable of. Sometimes, the results just don’t go your way, no matter how you play. It’s a really tough league; I remember Peter Wright struggling in it along with others; just keep believing in yourself.”
Bunting replied: “Thank you. Much appreciated. I stay away from the negative comments as I know they are there. I’m proud to be part of the Premier League. I’m proud of how far I’ve come since the times when I was thinking of quitting and to be on the verge of moving to No. 4 in the world is amazing. I’ll never give up, and I’ll always try 110 per cent to achieve my goals.”
Another fan, @JohnCam36262334, wrote: “Stephen, just thought I would let you know you’re playing fantastic darts, and your averages are truly amazing. You keep focused, and those averages will turn into victories. A Scottish Bunting Fan.”
Bunting reacted: “Thanks, mate. Really appreciate you reaching out. I’m good. Feel great and have a great family, team, management and sponsors behind me. And the fans are amazing. I’ll keep giving my all.”
The 39-year-old will be aiming to record his first Premier League win of the campaign when he faces Nathan Aspinall, currently in sixth on 10 points, in Berlin next Thursday.
Bunting lost 6-2 against Aspinall on night five in Exeter after a 6-4 defeat to Rob Cross, a 6-1 loss to Michael van Gerwen, a 6-4 beating by Luke Humphries and a 6-3 failure versus Littler.
After his meeting with The Asp, the Merseyside icon fell short against Gerwyn Price in a 6-4 affair before Chris Dobey triumphed 6-2 in their meeting.
Littler’s whitewash in less than 10 minutes was the most painful of all, though, and will surely act as a catalyst for improvement in the German capital.
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