How has Stephen Bunting managed to develop into an in a single day social media sensation? ‘The Bullet’ explains how he has taken his success on the oche to the karaoke room…
“Always believe in your soul, you’ve got the power to know, you’re indestructible, always believe in, ‘cos you are Gold (Gold)”.
‘The Bullet’ enjoys belting out a little bit of Spandau Ballet when he is not throwing arrows.
In the event you do not see the person, who has an uncanny resemblance to cartoon character Peter Griffin from Household Man, at a venue close to you, you then’ll discover him on social media, the place he has developed his personal cult following.
So how may a 39-year-old darts participant by some means develop into an in a single day social media sensation along with his personal hashtag Lets Go Bunting Psychological (LGBM)?
“It was a bit of a joke at first,” Bunting defined to Sky Sports activities. “Me and my son had been messing round on the platform. He launched me to the platform and he confirmed me how you can do some stuff.
“I feel the primary video was simply me and him messing round, miming some stuff, and it simply went from there.
“It’s nice to be able show the fans and the people who have supported me that I’m not just a darts player, I have actually got a personality as well. That was the most important thing at the start and I think the more I did it, the more fans I generated, the more followers I received.
“What you see with me is what you get. There is no showmanship. I attempt to entertain folks with my walk-on however after I play I attempt to hold targeted and attempt to win however away from the oche you see me telling jokes, singing in karaoke bars, or on TikTok doing daft issues.
“I’m just a jovial type of person to be honest and that’s one way I can give something back to the fans so they can see that side of me.
“In the event that they ran into me in Tesco or Asda, or at a soccer match, that is the type of aspect of me they’re going to obtain, not the very critical darts-playing aspect.”
Bunting walks on to ‘Titanium’ by David Guetta that includes Sia having beforehand used ‘Chook Is The Phrase’ prior to now, however the Peter Griffin dance proved all a bit an excessive amount of for the avid Liverpool fan.
“When we play in some of these vast arenas, darts can be won by the width of a wire, but when you’re playing at some of these big arenas you need to focus. Sometimes you need that crowd on your side. The cheering really does get you focused,” Bunting continued.
“When I go to Germany or Belgium I’m still getting that support but it’s really important to keep them on my side. When you’re playing darts it can be a very lonely place but when you’ve got the fans behind you it’s far easier.
“The walk-on songs will get you a whole lot of followers as properly. It is actually necessary that the group have a great time as properly, so lengthy might that proceed.
“‘Titanium’ is my son’s favourite song so that was the reason behind that and it’s got the bulletproof tag line.
“I removed the fowl as a result of it was simply a whole lot of arduous work. I needed to get on stage and do the Peter Griffin dance.”
The St Helens’ thrower fulfilled his lifelong dream when he received the 2014 Lakeside World Championship however quickly after becoming a member of the PDC, Dutch nice Raymond van Barneveld had him in tears with an notorious post-match speech which led to Bunting struggling a dip in type which affected his psychological well being.
Ten years on and Bunting is again! He claimed his maiden PDC title at The Masters and he now heads to the World Grand Prix within the type of his life, regardless of shedding a hat-trick of Professional Tour finals in Wigan.
Again to karaoke, so what’s Bunting’s go-to track? “I’d say ‘Gold’ by Spandau Ballet. That’s my number one song. I’ve not done karaoke for a long time but next time I win a big major tournament I’ll be in a bar singing.”
And does he have any future plans? “I’d be interested in going on a TV variety show because that’s my sort of personality,” he stated. “I’d like to go and other stuff like I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! or Come Dine With Me, but I don’t think beans on toast will help me win on that show!”
What dwell darts is subsequent on Sky Sports activities?
Stay darts returns to Sky Sports activities with the BoyleSports World Grand Prix in Leicester from October 7-13, that includes a few of the sport’s very greatest stars.
The annual £600,000 event will happen on the Mattioli Enviornment in Leicester from October 7-13, as 32 of the world’s prime stars compete for the coveted title which was received by Luke Humphries.
Then in November, the Grand Slam of Darts might be hosted in Wolverhampton as Luke Humphries seems to be to defend his title.
Consideration then turns to the flip of the 12 months and the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, starting on December 15, because the darts calendar continues to supply pleasure all year long – and you’ll get pleasure from the perfect right here dwell on Sky Sports activities.
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