Stephen Bunting shares vile social media abuse after playing through the pain in World Grand Prix defeat

Darts star Stephen Bunting has shared the vile abuse he was targeted with after his defeat at the World Grand Prix.

Bunting was beaten by Dutchman Danny Noppert in the quarter-finals of the tournament in Leicester on Wednesday.

The 40-year-old later revealed he had been suffering with a back injury at the event, which hindered his performance in his clash against Noppert.

The popular Liverpudlian was sent a barrage of negative direct messages and comments in the wake of the loss, and has now published them on his Facebook page.

One wrote: 'Just die motherf****', while another troll called Bunting a 'f***ng fat clown'.

In response to the abuse, Bunting wrote on Facebook: 'Losing doesn’t deserve this much abuse very sad to see.'

Bunting, the world number four, said his back was 'so sore' in the match with Noppert.

'Couldn’t force my darts up. Tried stretching and just made it worse,' he added in a post on X.

'How I won so many legs I don’t know.

'The crowd knew I was in pain. Pity the social media full of negativity. Well done to Danny you played well.'

Bunting did receive support from several social media users following his loss to Noppert, who plays Gary Anderson in the last eight of the £600,000 tournament on Friday.

'Tough to take for Bunting. Wishing him a speedy recovery,' one said.

A second added: 'Come back stronger champ, and hopefully with a stronger back.'

Bunting has enjoyed a superb 2025 ahead of the season's showpiece event, the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace in December and January.

He has won two World Series of Darts events, as well as two Players Championships and two European Tour titles, becoming only the third player to do so in a calendar year after Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen.