LONDON -- Stephen Bunting decorating a cake on a Christmas card (£5.95). Stephen Bunting recording a personalised video shout-out (£39.50). Stephen Bunting looking pleased with himself on an imitation FIFA Ultimate Team shield (£20) -- all of these delights and more can be found on the world No. 4's official website, and if your loved ones are feeling generous, in the stocking at the end of your bed on the big day.
On the face of it, the world No. 4 has made it to the big time and he's recognised that the moment to fleece the sport's growing fanbase for all they're worth has arrived. After all, a Stephen Bunting pin badge will set you back £15. But, as is often the case with the Liverpudlian, the reality is more honest, more heartfelt. Such is Bunting's appreciation for the support he receives, the TikTok titan takes the time out of his practice routine to personally package each order and send it out from his local post office in St. Helens.
"We do exhibitions, and a lot of the other players like to lock themselves away in a private room," Bunting told The Guardian earlier this month. "They don't really see the fans, unless it's a meet-and-greet. Whereas I like to be the centre of attention, easily accessible. And listen, these fans are paying our wages."
And here, at the top of a hill in north London on the Saturday before Christmas, he was standing in the spotlight once again.
Bunting's hyper-viral walk-on lasts all of 90 seconds, but by the time it's over, he's somehow managed to form a genuine human connection with 3,500 hedonists inside the Grade II-listed Alexandra Palace. Bricklayers, estate agents, city traders and bartenders -- they all worship at the feet of Bunting as he mimes along to David Guetta's "Titanium".
"If you can't get up for playing at Ally Pally in the world championship, you shouldn't be playing darts," Bunting told reporters in an emotional press conference. For me, it's the greatest venue.
"The atmosphere in there tonight was special. And I felt it from the moment that I did the walk-on, from the moment I walked onstage."
For once, though, Bunting had to share some of the love with his opponent, India's Nitin Kumar, whose win over Richard Veenstra was one of the stories of the first round. But a delicious 118 checkout from Bunting in the opening leg, followed by another from 107 in the third put him in firm control from the off and he didn't let go.
Kumar, who has said he wants to be responsible for bringing darts to India's billion-strong population, perhaps took too much on his shoulders for this, the biggest match of his life, and was far from his best as Bunting wrapped up his victory in 36 minutes.
It wasn't always like this. Only a few years ago Bunting was a solid but unspectacular player who looked unable to break into the truly elite. Defeats led to a lack of self-confidence, his lack of self-confidence led to more defeats. But help from sports psychologists and a hypnotherapist helped turn him into the the 'People's Champion.'
"I'm working hard behind the scenes," Bunting said. "I've been on the practice board. I've been whacking 100-odd averages... So yeah, I feel incredible, to be honest.
"But at the same time, I don't want to give too much away to my opponents -- they're going to see over the next few weeks how good I can be."
So after a crushing second-round win, what does Bunting think about his chances of (maybe) defying (probably) one of the Luke's come Jan. 3?
"It's Christmas now. I'm going to enjoy family time," he said. "I'm going to enjoy opening the presents with the kids and just forget about darts for a bit, to be honest. Sometimes you put too much pressure on yourself.
"There's people who are already talking about winning the title and we're only in the last 32. So there's a long way to go. I'm not going to say I'm going to win it, but I'm not going to say I'm going to go out in the next round..."
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