Stephen Bunting explained why the nickname ‘People’s Champion’, which has become a powerful symbol of his popularity, has also taken its toll on him personally. According to DartsNews, the Englishman reflected on the criticism he received following a media appearance concerning this nickname, and then on the impact this wave of reactions had even on his family.
This isn’t about rankings or tournament tables. It matters because it reveals something else about the lives of PDC players today: popularity can launch a career, fill a venue, and create a very strong connection with the public, but it also exposes loved ones when online discussions get out of hand. In Bunting’s case, the line seems to have been crossed when his son was caught up in the fallout.
A nickname that has become a source of tension
The nickname ‘People’s Champion’ has stuck with Bunting for several seasons. His debut on Titanium, the way he engages with the audience and his image as an approachable player have forged a genuine bond with the fans. But the phrase also ended up provoking much harsher reactions when Bunting himself used it during an exchange with the media.
In the reported comments, Bunting explains that the exchange was “taken out of context”. He says he was responding to a question about the popularity of certain players, without seeking to place himself above the rest of the circuit. The problem, he argues, was not merely sporting criticism or the usual social media sarcasm. The discussion quickly descended into personal attacks.
When the family becomes the target
The most distressing part concerns his family. Bunting states that his loved ones have faced criticism because of his public image. He also recounts that his son was teased at school, to the extent that he had to be moved to another school for his own protection. On this sort of subject, one must remain measured: the story does not need to be dramatised to be powerful.
Above all, it highlights a reality that players are increasingly speaking out about. Modern darts relies heavily on social media, video clips, immediate reactions and nicknames that become personal trademarks. This exposure benefits the sport, but it can become brutal when a player, or those close to them, becomes the subject of constant debate.
Why this statement matters now
Bunting is no fringe figure on the circuit. He remains one of the most recognisable players to the British public, with a strong stage presence and a highly distinctive image. This is also why his account goes beyond his personal situation: it highlights the disconnect between the festive atmosphere surrounding a player’s entrance onto the stage and what players may face once the match is over.
This statement comes at a time when Bunting remains in the PDC spotlight. We had notably followed him upon his return to the World Series in Copenhagen. The rest of his season will reveal what he can achieve on the sporting front, but this episode serves as a reminder that managing one’s public image is now part of everyday life for the top players.
A useful reminder for the circuit
The crux of the matter is not whether a nickname appeals to everyone. Fans are free to discuss, criticise a remark, find a comment clumsy, or favour another player. But when a player’s family becomes a target, we move beyond the realm of sporting debate. Bunting puts it clearly: what affected him most was not just what he himself was subjected to, but what was being said about his loved ones.
For the PDC, as for the darts media, this sort of testimony must be handled without sensationalism. It simply shows that the sport’s growth also brings with it more visible pressure on its figures. Bunting has built part of his relationship with the public on enthusiasm and approachability. It is precisely this contrast that makes the story significant: behind a nickname intended to celebrate a bond with the fans lay a much less light-hearted episode.
Source: DartsNews.
