Stephen Bunting: ‘The Bullet’ explains how he has turn into an in a single day social media sensation

How has Stephen Bunting managed to turn 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 isn’t throwing arrows.

For those who 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 might a 39-year-old darts participant by some means turn into an in a single day social media sensation along with his personal hashtag Lets Go Bunting Psychological (LGBM)?

What you see with me is what you get. There isn’t any showmanship. I try to entertain individuals with my walk-on however once I play I try to maintain centered and try to win however away from the oche you see me telling jokes, singing in karaoke bars, or on TikTok doing daft issues.

“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 find out how to 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 isn’t any showmanship. I try to entertain individuals with my walk-on however once I play I try to maintain centered and try 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 form of facet of me they will obtain, not the very severe darts-playing facet.”

Bunting walks on to ‘Titanium’ by David Guetta that includes Sia having beforehand used ‘Fowl 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 numerous followers as properly. It is actually vital that the group have 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 chicken as a result of it was simply numerous exhausting 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 kind 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 dropping 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 mentioned. “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 reside darts is subsequent on Sky Sports activities?

Reside 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 largest stars.

The annual £600,000 event will happen on the Mattioli Area 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 shall be hosted in Wolverhampton as Luke Humphries appears to be like 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 take pleasure in the easiest right here reside on Sky Sports activities.

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