Hitting the Bullseye: A Conversation with Stephen Bunting
Lewis Watson 
Loved by darts fans around the globe, Stephen Bunting took time out of his busy schedule to sit down with our Freebets darts expert, Lewis Watson, to give us his views on the upcoming PDC World Darts Championship, sponsored by Paddy Power.
Read on to see what 'The Bullet' thinks of his chances of being the last man standing at the Ally Pally come January 3rd.
What was it like filming the World Championship advert for Paddy Power?
Unbelievable - it's always been my dream to dress as a traffic cone. We've got another one coming out soon that is The Office themed - it has that David Brent lookalike, which was lots of fun as well.
What do you make of the World Championship draw?
So I'll play either Alan Soutar or Kai Gotthard in the second round - two difficult opponents. But like I said previously, I've got really good form going into it, probably the best I've ever played, winning a major as well earlier on in the year and finishing number two on the Pro Tour. I'm really looking forward to this game, but they've got to play each other first.
I don't know who's going to come out on top. To be honest, it's a difficult game for both. But Alan Soutar is a really good friend of mine as well. So I'd like to see Alan progress through that first game and then play him, but that's where the friendship will be put aside.
When the draw lands, do you plot your whole route to the final?
I had a slight glance. I'm seeded number eight, so obviously, I play the number one seed in the quarter-finals, which is obviously Luke Humphries. And that's what I'm looking to do - get to the quarters minimum and put in some great performances. And then, once I'm in the quarters, I'll be looking to win it.
I've set two goals. One: get to the quarter-finals, and two: to win the whole thing. Obviously, the biggest task is to get into the quarters first. So I just need to make sure that I'm 100% ready. I've got a few practice sessions booked in with Luke Humphries as well. I'm gonna probably have a few sessions with Luke Littler as well and just make sure that my game is tip-top going into the World Championships. I've got a few exhibitions to do as well. So, yeah, I'm really looking forward to it, to be honest.
You've reached two quarter-finals and one semi-final in World Championships before. Is your game where you want it to be to repeat that this year?
I think my average over the season is 97, so that puts me up there with the best. I just need to make sure that Stephen Bunting turns up at the Ally Pally 100%.
I know I'm putting in the hard work behind the scenes. I've got a few days off now with family and stuff, making sure that I'm doing my Dad duties, but the couple of weeks before the Worlds, I'll make sure that I'm locked away and 100% on the practice board.
It's also about preparing for those long-set matches. I think I've had a lot of success over the years down at Ally Pally and played some of my best games recorded there. So I think obviously going to that venue and being part of the World Championships, the Christmas spirit, and everything else suit me. It also puts you in a great mood anyway, so I really can't wait to get down there now. Obviously, when the schedule comes out, I'll know how much preparation time I'm going to have. [Bunting's first match will be on Friday 20th December]
Speaking of the venue, is the Ally Pally your favourite, or is there another one you prefer playing?
I think my favourite is the Winter Gardens (for the World Matchplay), as it's only an hour from mine, right on my doorstep. It's an iconic venue, with the crowd right on top of you and involved. I've not had the best performances there, but I'm sure that I've got quite a few more years in me. And yeah, there's better performances to come, that's for sure. That's definitely my favourite venue. And then closely followed by the Worlds.
I just love what the World brings - Christmas, everyone dressed up, and everyone having a good time. If I wasn't a player, I'd be tuning in every single day to the sessions and watching at home or being in the venue as a fan. Yeah, that's what I'd be doing for sure.
We've had a few shocks in the majors this year (De Decker winning the Grand Prix and Edhouse winning the Europeans) do you think there could be another one at the Worlds?
I think there will definitely be a few that fly under the radar for sure. I think the likes of [Gian] van Veen considering the way he's playing this year. Wessel Nijman is also in tip-top form. I think the top, top players have been bought closer to the pack behind them now in today's darts. Whereas back in the day when Phil Taylor dominated, there was a massive gulf in class between the top and maybe the top 16 or 32. It's so much closer now.
But I would like to think the winner will come from the top 8 seeds. And I am in that, so I would say that!
You were in Wessel Nijman's group at the Grand Slam, weren't you?
Yeah, he played so well. Averaged in the 100s and finished bottom of the group somehow. That was the Group of Death - I was happy to get through that group. To be honest, I can take a lot of positives, but then the unfortunate thing for me was finishing second in the group, meaning I played Gary Anderson in the next round. And Gary put on a good enough performance to beat me.
But, like I said, I'm taking positives out of losses these days as well. So it's all about building up now for the World Championships - that's the big event everyone wants to win. And I think it's not just about how well you play when you get down there. It's about putting the preparation in leading up to that event and making sure that you are going to be able to produce those numbers.
Gary Anderson's playing well at the moment, isn't he?
Yeah, even though he doesn't practice much. He's an exception to the rule. About 18 months ago, we played on the Pro Tour, and he literally just sat there the whole day, didn't move, went outside for a fag, came back in, and then averaged 109. His performances are elite-level. To play like that when you aren't practising is unreal.
How good do you think Luke Littler could be, do you think he could get close to Taylor and MVG's records?
I think darts is too competitive now. When Michael [van Gerwen] came on the scene, we were saying the same, but he's only won three. It shows how difficult it is to win that World Championship. And Gary Anderson, how good he is, he's only got two world titles. I think, obviously, to win 16 titles is a long shot, but he's definitely got a few in his locker!
Hopefully, the next time he gets to a final, it's against me, and I can win it. As long as I get my hand on one, I'll be happy.
Speaking of major titles, how did you celebrate winning the Masters earlier this year?
We went back into the bar where we were staying in Milton Keynes. I literally had two drinks in the bar. And then I had an early night [laughs]. It absolutely shattered me, to be honest. I wasn't feeling too well either - I had a bit of a cold. So just to get through that weekend, to go on and win was exceptional. I was so happy and proud of my performances that week as well. But yeah, it wasn't a massive celebration. It was quite laid back in the bar. I think by the time I finished the game and got in the bar, the bar was shutting within an hour!
How would you describe Luke Humphries in one word?
Phenomenal. He's such a good player. He's improved tenfold over the last probably five or six years. I actually played him in a World Championships, going back probably four years and beat him, but he's so hard to play. He's got those extra levels, too - like you watch him and think he's not playing well, and then he's averaging in the 100s again. Him and Luke Littler are similar like that at the moment.
He's very, very competitive, too - he always wants to smash you up, even on the practice boards. If we are playing like 121 or a ton game he still wants to win. I obviously give it back, but he gets the better of me more than the other way around.
You're a Liverpool fan. Would you rather win the World Championship or Liverpool win the Premier League and the Champions League this season?
Ah, I'd have to say win the World Championship. But I had to think about it!
Supporting Liverpool is massive for me. If I'm not playing darts, I'm either at Anfield or watching football somewhere. So yeah, I'd love Liverpool to win the league this year. To be honest, it's probably the best chance to win it, with Man City slacking off and a few points behind us now. So yeah, it's a big opportunity, but there are tough games coming, and there's a long way to go.
What would you like for Christmas this year?
I don't know, probably a new dartboard, to be honest. Maybe a new PlayStation - just something easy, something quick, that I can play on and take with me when I am playing away.
You're into collecting retro football stickers and cards, right? Would you ever consider doing something like that in darts?
Well, we've all signed up with Panini to do the football stickers as darts players, actually. I think they're coming out just before the Worlds. There are some signature cards that were signed and stuff like that. So that'll be a big collectors market coming out probably in the next few weeks. Really looking forward to that, to be honest!
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