Professional darts player Stephen Bunting has spoken out after his teenage son became the target of cruel online abuse following his father's early exit from a major tournament.
Family Hurt by Social Media Hate
The 40-year-old athlete, who was the fourth seed in the competition, took to social media platform X to explain a brief absence from his accounts. He stated he needed time to recover after his third-round defeat at the PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace.
Bunting's 13-year-old son, Toby, was present in the crowd to watch his father's match against James Hurrell. In the aftermath of the loss, the family was subjected to negative comments online, with some of the vitriol directed at the teenager.
"They see the negative comments and do their best to make sure I don't see them," Bunting wrote, praising his family's support. "And even Toby has had some hate from some of the trolls online which really is hurtful for us as a family."
Bunting's Pledge and Family Motivation
The darts star, clearly affected by the incident, was effusive in his praise for his son's character. "Toby is one of the nicest kids you could wish to meet," he said, adding that he plans to spend more quality time with him in the coming year.
Despite the disappointment of the championship result and the subsequent online abuse, Bunting remains motivated by his family. He affirmed his continued commitment to the sport, stating he still has "a lot to give darts" over the rest of his career and wants to make his loved ones proud.
The incident highlights the often toxic spill-over from professional sports onto the families of competitors, particularly on social media platforms where anonymity can fuel abusive behaviour.
