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The Irish Sun
12 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘What a feeling' – Topless Steve Bunting copies Luke Littler as he sleeps with Nordic Darts Masters Trophy
STEPHEN BUNTING is going global as he tries to prove his Premier League flop was a one-off. The Bullet, 40, picked up a second World Series of Darts title this year on Saturday night as he beat Rob Cross 8-4 in the final in Copenhagen. 2 Stephen Bunting won the Nordic Darts Masters on Saturday in Copenhagen Credit: PA 2 The 40-year-old took his trophy to his hotel room after beating Rob Cross in the final Credit: X The 40-year-old He wrote on X: "Good morning Copenhagen! What a great feeling waking up along side this beauty." Bunting's performances were a contrast to the misery he had endured during the 17-week Prem where he READ MORE ON DARTS Finishing bottom of the eight-man table would have rocked the confidence of lesser men. But the St Helens thrower – whose Trips to New York, Poland, Australia and New Zealand this summer could consolidate his position at the top of the rankings for this invitational series. He said: "Listen, in the Premier League, you're playing the best players in the world. Most read in Darts BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK "For whatever reason, it just didn't happen for me. I said to my management and family, I won't lose heart. I still believe. "I put in some really good performances. Unfortunately it wasn't to be. Premier League Darts star Stephen Bunting 'moonlighting as Rangers steward' as incredible Ibrox doppelganger spotted "It was a long time since I had been in the Premier League, 10 years in fact, and it was like going back to a new school this year. I was proud of myself towards the end. "I have shown how good I can be, especially on the World Series. "I believe I am consistent. My doubles have let me down in the last two months. "Sometimes I have to pinch myself. I know how good I can be. It's dog-eat-dog out there. I'm glad to be up there in the rankings. "These aren't ranked tournaments. I will take these wins. It's all about gaining confidence, it's like a snowball effect. "Hopefully this can rub off in the likes of the World Matchplay and other ProTours. I am looking forward to the rest of the season. "When I went out in the arena, I saw the scarves, the shirts, the 'Bunting Mental' hats and cheers and chants. "It was a great venue. The crowd rooted for me and got me through my games."
Scottish Sun
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘What a feeling' – Topless Steve Bunting copies Luke Littler as he sleeps with Nordic Darts Masters Trophy
Bunting is preparing for trips to New York, Poland, Australia and New Zealand TREBLE BED 'What a feeling' – Topless Steve Bunting copies Luke Littler as he sleeps with Nordic Darts Masters Trophy Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) STEPHEN BUNTING is going global as he tries to prove his Premier League flop was a one-off. The Bullet, 40, picked up a second World Series of Darts title this year on Saturday night as he beat Rob Cross 8-4 in the final in Copenhagen. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Stephen Bunting won the Nordic Darts Masters on Saturday in Copenhagen Credit: PA 2 The 40-year-old took his trophy to his hotel room after beating Rob Cross in the final Credit: X Bunting, ranked fourth in the world, slept with the Nordic Darts Masters trophy in his hotel room before catching a flight home to the UK. The 40-year-old channelled his inner-Lionel Messi as he posted a cheeky topless snap of him cuddling up with the gong - just like rival Luke Littler. He wrote on X: "Good morning Copenhagen! What a great feeling waking up along side this beauty." Bunting's performances were a contrast to the misery he had endured during the 17-week Prem where he suffered 12 first-round losses. READ MORE ON DARTS PRICED OUT Gerwyn Price announces plan for retirement as he faces 'more' demands on tour Finishing bottom of the eight-man table would have rocked the confidence of lesser men. But the St Helens thrower – whose 'Bunting Mental' shtick is growing around the world – has always believed he can cope with the elite in knockout events. Trips to New York, Poland, Australia and New Zealand this summer could consolidate his position at the top of the rankings for this invitational series. He said: "Listen, in the Premier League, you're playing the best players in the world. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK "For whatever reason, it just didn't happen for me. I said to my management and family, I won't lose heart. I still believe. "I put in some really good performances. Unfortunately it wasn't to be. Premier League Darts star Stephen Bunting 'moonlighting as Rangers steward' as incredible Ibrox doppelganger spotted "It was a long time since I had been in the Premier League, 10 years in fact, and it was like going back to a new school this year. I was proud of myself towards the end. "I have shown how good I can be, especially on the World Series. "I believe I am consistent. My doubles have let me down in the last two months. "Sometimes I have to pinch myself. I know how good I can be. It's dog-eat-dog out there. I'm glad to be up there in the rankings. "These aren't ranked tournaments. I will take these wins. It's all about gaining confidence, it's like a snowball effect. "Hopefully this can rub off in the likes of the World Matchplay and other ProTours. I am looking forward to the rest of the season. "When I went out in the arena, I saw the scarves, the shirts, the 'Bunting Mental' hats and cheers and chants. "It was a great venue. The crowd rooted for me and got me through my games."
Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Darts set for huge shake up with free-to-air channel showing tournaments
Channel 5 looks to have usurped darts from ITV and they will become the sport's free-to-air home once the Players Championship in November comes to an end following nearly two decades of showing darts Darts is set for major changes when it comes to broadcasting with a number of tournaments to be shown on Channel 5. The sport will switch over from ITV when their deal ends after the Players Championship in November. ITV4 has shown the European Championship, World Series of Darts, Players Championship, UK Open and the Masters since 2008, but rivals Channel 5 are now close to securing the free-to-air broadcast rights for those tournaments. Matchroom run the PDC and they will take charge of production for all events that are not shown on Sky Sports. Matchroom are also going to select the new broadcast team with ITV staff - including presenters and commentators - no longer set to be present, reports The Sun. Matchroom chairman Barry Hearn said of the switch: 'We live in a numbers game. ITV4 has been fantastically successful for us in the numbers it's got. We need to be more encouraging to the younger market, which involves talking to them in the language that they understand and the medium that they understand. 'And that's why the world is becoming more digital. The future is more Netflix than free-to-air. It's going to involve a multiple number of broadcasters. Some free-to-air, some behind the pay model. People will be able to watch what they want to watch, the sports they want to watch, when they want to watch it and for a price they can afford. I find that really exciting.' It was announced back in February that Sky Sports would remain the home of darts in the UK and Ireland until 2030 amid talk of the sport's bosses looking to take it elsewhere and cash in on the hype, which has boomed since the arrival of Luke Littler. The five-year extension to the partnership means the collaboration between Sky and the PDC will extend to almost 40 years. Sky has been the long-term broadcast partner of the PDC since 1993 and has aided the sport's growth. Viewing reached new heights last year when a record audience of over 4.8m people opted to watch the 2024 World Darts Championship final when Luke Humphries beat a then 16-year-old Littler, who was making his presence known for the first time. A peak audience of 3.71m watched the two Lukes slug it out, which was the highest ever figure on Sky Sports for a non-football event. This year more strides have been taken with the sport in the midst of its weekly Premier League rounds. Hearn previously said: "For my mind, and I've got nothing against golf, but I want to see darts and snooker have bigger prize money than golf because I believe it's worth more money than golf in today's commercial world."
Scottish Sun
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Major darts tournaments set to switch channels with free-to-air broadcaster in pole position when ITV deal ends
Barry Hearn made a bold prediciton about the future of darts broadcasting CHANNEL CROSSING Major darts tournaments set to switch channels with free-to-air broadcaster in pole position when ITV deal ends Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DARTS is set for a shake up with a number of tournaments set to be broadcast by Channel 5. There will be a switch from ITV when their deal ends after the Players Championship in November. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The Masters is one event set to be shown on Channel 5 Credit: PA ITV4 has shown the European Championship, World Series of Darts, Players Championship, UK Open and the Masters since 2008. But Channel 5 are now close to securing the free-to-air broadcast rights for those tournaments. Matchroom, which runs the PDC, will take charge of production for all events not shown on Sky Sports. That means ITV staff, including presenters and commentators, will no longer be present at events from next year, with Matchroom to select the new teams. READ MORE IN DARTS 'HE'S NOT PHIL TAYLOR' Darts icon says Luke Littler comparison with The Power is pointless Matchroom chairman Barry Hearn said of the switch: 'We live in a numbers game. ITV4 has been fantastically successful for us in the numbers it's got. 'We need to be more encouraging to the younger market, which involves talking to them in the language that they understand and the medium that they understand. 'And that's why the world is becoming more digital. The future is more Netflix than free-to-air. 'It's going to involve a multiple number of broadcasters. Some free-to-air, some behind the pay model. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 'People will be able to watch what they want to watch, the sports they want to watch, when they want to watch it and for a price they can afford. I find that really exciting.' Channel 5 are continuing their expansion of sports coverage after airing the World Seniors Snooker Championship this month. Barry Hearn reveals pool is the 'next darts' and predicts sport will be massive in five years The broadcaster also agreed a deal with DAZN to show the Club World Cup, which takes place in June. SunSport has contacted ITV and Channel 5 for comment.
The Irish Sun
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Major darts tournaments set to switch channels with free-to-air broadcaster in pole position when ITV deal ends
DARTS is set for a shake up with a number of tournaments set to be broadcast by Channel 5. There will be a switch from ITV when their deal ends after the Players Championship in November. 1 The Masters is one event set to be shown on Channel 5 Credit: PA ITV4 has shown the European Championship, World Series of Darts , Players Championship, UK Open and the Masters since 2008. But Channel 5 are now close to securing the free-to-air broadcast rights for those tournaments. Matchroom, which runs the PDC, will take charge of production for all events not shown on Sky Sports. That means ITV staff, including presenters and commentators, next year, with Matchroom to select the new teams. READ MORE IN DARTS Matchroom chairman Barry Hearn said of the switch: 'We live in a numbers game. ITV4 has been fantastically successful for us in the numbers it's got. 'We need to be more encouraging to the younger market, which involves talking to them in the language that they understand and the medium that they understand. 'And that's why the world is becoming more digital. The future is more Netflix than free-to-air. 'It's going to involve a multiple number of broadcasters. Some free-to-air, some behind the pay model. Most read in Darts CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 'People will be able to watch what they want to watch, the sports they want to watch, when they want to watch it and for a price they can afford. I find that really exciting.' Channel 5 are continuing their expansion of sports coverage after airing the World Seniors Snooker Championship this month. Barry Hearn reveals pool is the 'next darts' and predicts sport will be massive in five years The broadcaster also SunSport has contacted ITV and Channel 5 for comment.
