Co-favorite Stephen Bunting is eliminated early from the Darts World Championship. The press is shocked, Luke Littler takes a jab.
Before the start of the Darts World Championship 2026, hopes for a significant success for Stephen Bunting were quite high.
“I’m really excited. Of course, the atmosphere around Christmas with a young family at home is already exuberant. I can’t wait to get to the Ally Pally. I’ve worked hard over the past year and I believe I can win,” he explained before the start of the tournament.
Many darts fans were happy about Stephen Bunting’s elimination
“I simply believe in my own abilities. Of course, there were some really bad throws this year. But there were also some really good ones. I’m in top form.”
He continued: “I think in terms of average, I can compete with the best players. We’ll just see how it goes. But I have a great fan base behind me. Great management. A great family. Everything feels great.”
Bunting Eliminated Early at Darts World Championship
However, the most important darts tournament of the year did not go so great for bunting. The last sixteen was the end of the road for the co-favorite. He lost narrowly 3:4 against his British compatriot James Hurrell.
“The Bullet” had fought back multiple times after falling behind, shown some sensational shots, and repeatedly celebrated them frenetically.
But in the end, he had nothing to laugh about. As the 18th seeded player, the 40-year-old had to admit defeat at Alexandra Palace. The disappointment was clearly visible on him and his entourage, including his son in the audience.
Jabs from Hurrell and Littler
Adding to the disgrace of the defeat were a few jabs. Opponent James Hurrell took advantage of his opponent’s exuberant celebratory gestures during the match. “He was celebrating as if he had won the match, and I benefited from that,” he said at the post-match press conference.
World champion Luke Littler, who convincingly won his match against Mensur Suljovic 4:0 on Saturday evening after Bunting’s game, also spoke to the press.
“The Luke Littler effect is still strong in this tournament, while the Bunting effect, in my opinion, isn’t working so well. Maybe I have the biggest fanbase,” he jabbed after the crowd favorite’s exit – and then added with a chuckle: “I had to say that, sorry!”
Luke Littler couldn’t resist a comment directed at Stephen Bunting
Press Appalled After World Championship Exit
The British press was also appalled by the World Championship sensation. The Mirror wrote of a “shocking defeat. The world number four is the highest-ranked player to have been knocked out of the competition, leaving his side of the bracket wide open for the coming rounds.”
The Sun , meanwhile, spoke of a “sensation.”
Some Darts Fans Rejoice Over Bunting’s Defeat
On social media, too, the Briton faced a lot of rejection and schadenfreude; even his son became a victim of nasty and inappropriate comments.
Many darts fans also showed schadenfreude. “I am absolutely thrilled that Stephen Bunting has been eliminated,” one user commented.
While opponent Hurrell now faces either German number one Martin Schindler or Ryan Searle from England in the round of sixteen, for “The Bullet” it’s time to pack his bags.