Stephen Bunting Breaks Silence After Heavy Defeat to Luke Littler in Premier League Darts
Stephen Bunting has spoken out following his eighth consecutive defeat in this year’s Premier League Darts, suffering a 6-0 whitewash against Luke Littler in Newcastle on Thursday night. Littler, who went on to win the night’s competition for the fourth time in eight weeks, dominated Bunting in a one-sided contest.
Bunting Struggles in the Premier League
Currently sitting at the bottom of the Premier League table, Bunting has yet to secure a victory, losing all eight matches with a -28 leg difference. Despite an impressive start to the year, including a Bahrain Masters title and a semi-final run at the World Darts Championship, he has struggled to find his rhythm in the Premier League.
The world No. 4 has faced growing criticism for his performances, but he remains optimistic and focused on improvement.
Bunting Responds to Supportive Fans
On Friday, Bunting took to social media to acknowledge messages of encouragement from fans. Responding to a supporter who urged him to “ignore the haters” and “keep believing,” Bunting expressed gratitude, stating:
“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 percent to achieve my goals.”
Another fan praised Bunting’s strong performances despite the losses, reassuring him that his high averages would eventually translate into victories. Bunting responded:
“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.”
Looking Ahead to Berlin
Bunting will have another chance to turn things around when he faces Nathan Aspinall next Thursday in Berlin. The 39-year-old previously lost 6-2 to Aspinall on Night Five, along with defeats to Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, Rob Cross, and Gerwyn Price.
While his 6-0 loss to Littler was particularly tough, Bunting remains determined to bounce back and fight for his first win in the competition.
