Darts icon Stephen Bunting ‘cannot exit for dinner any extra’ as sport’s recognition surges
Darts ace Stephen Bunting has welcomed the fact the sport is getting so big across the globe – even if it means he can’t eat in peace.
The fan favourite, 41, said “you can feel darts is getting bigger worldwide” and he’s now recognised in places like New York, where he’s known for his walk-on song Titanium.
And with ESPN signing a five-year deal to broadcast darts in America, it’s profile is “only going to increase”, while it’s a similar story in China and Japan too.
He often walks on to the song Titanium(Image: Dan Istitene, Getty Images)
Nicknamed ‘The Bullet’, Bunting is regularly stopped and has groups of kids following him when he’s out and about, but he doesn’t mind as he embraces it all.
He said: “It’s important to showcase our sport across the world. I do this for the fans as well as my family.”
The Merseyside man embraces that he’s sometimes better known for his crazy walk-on to David Guetta’s hit single than his achievements on the oche.
He said: “We went to New York and a policeman stopped me and said: ‘Oh, you’re the guy with the walk‑on.’ Not: ‘You’re the darts player.’
Sometimes going out to dinner is a chore(Image: Getty Images)
“It’s important to showcase our sport across the world and I’d love to be part of that.”
He’s no stranger to pulling out nutty dance moves. In 2014, Bunting went viral after filming himself pulling shapes to the song Surfin’ Bird.
Bunting did admit that it can be quite “annoying” when people pester him while he’s out with his missus.
He said: “The wife and the lads don’t mind as long as we’re not eating. If you’re in a restaurant, and people come over to you, it can be quite annoying.”
Bunting is currently ranked number 10 in the world, but previously broke the top five last year after an impressive 2025.
In 2024, he reached his first PDC major final, defeating reigning world champion Luke Humphries en route.
