Stephen Bunting Details Online Abuse and Its Impact on His Family

Stephen Bunting has described how online abuse following a World Championship defeat escalated into death threats and attacks directed at his family. In an interview published by The Guardian on Tuesday, the world No. 10 explained how the hostility changed his use of social media and affected his 14-year-old son, Toby.

The abuse intensified during the World Championship last December. Bunting had beaten Sebastian Bialecki and Nitin Kumar before losing in the third round to James Hurrell, who was ranked No. 63 at the time. According to The Guardian, angry gamblers then sent threatening messages to Bunting after the defeat.

Bunting said some of the attacks targeted Toby, who appears with him in social-media content and closely resembles his father. He also reported that his son was being bullied at school while Bunting's results had dipped. The family moved Toby to a private school, where Bunting said he is now doing well.

The 41-year-old has changed how he engages online. He identified X as the platform where the family encountered the greatest toxicity and has stopped messaging there, although he retains a presence. Bunting continues to use Instagram and TikTok, where he said his experience has generally been more positive, while the family monitors or disables comments on posts involving Toby.

The account comes as Bunting's profile continues to grow beyond competition. The Guardian reported that he is the most heavily marketed darts player after teenage world champion Luke Littler. Bunting said he is now regularly recognised in public, including during a visit to New York, and connected that visibility to darts' expanding international audience.

Bunting's current position follows a difficult period in which poor form led him to consider leaving the sport. He told The Guardian that support from a sports psychologist and a hypnotherapist helped rebuild his confidence about five years ago. He continues to use hypnotherapy, sometimes more frequently before major tournaments or after setbacks.

Despite the pressures of increased attention and a demanding schedule, Bunting intends to remain at the elite level for another decade. He also expects younger players emerging from darts academies to raise competitive standards further, while arguing that personality and connection with supporters remain important parts of the sport.