Stephen Bunting is convinced that Luke Littler has the potential to finish his career as the greatest darts player ever, even if the total tally of his titles never eclipses that of the iconic Phil Taylor. The young English prodigy was on track for an unprecedented clean sweep of the 2026 ranking calendar when a stunning upset at the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam derailed his run. At the time of his defeat, Littler was the world No. 1 and had already secured the first six premier events of the season.
After capturing the World Championship at Alexandra Palace in January, he added the World Masters, the UK Open, the Premier League, the World Cup of Darts and the World Matchplay to his résumé. A victory in Amsterdam would have given him the chance to complete a historic monopoly by also winning the World Series of Darts Finals, the World Grand Prix, the European Championship, the Grand Slam of Darts and the Players Championship Finals. Instead, the 19‑year‑old was knocked out in the quarter‑finals by Jonny Clayton.
Despite the loss, a chorus of pundits and former champions have already begun to label Littler as the sport’s future greatest, Bunting included. "I do," the 41‑year‑old said to Sky Sports News when asked whether he believes Littler could end up as the all‑time best. "I think he still has a lot more to give the sport." Bunting went on to stress that while Littler may accumulate a remarkable number of major titles, the sheer volume of world championships won by Taylor – sixteen in total – will likely remain unsurpassed.
"He’ll probably win a lot more world titles, but I don’t think he’ll match Phil’s total," Bunting explained. "The standard of play today is far higher than in Phil’s era.
Phil dominated, no doubt about it. But Luke has changed the game in his own way. He’s brought a younger demographic into darts. When you ask anyone who a darts player is, they answer ‘Luke Littler’ – that says a lot about his impact." Bunting admitted, however, that the ultimate verdict should be left to the two legends themselves.
"Luke’s ceiling is phenomenal – based on that, he is already the best player in the world today," he said. "Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor won 16 world championships – you can’t take that away. If Phil tells me he’s the best, I’ll respect that. I’d be happy to win one or two titles, but Luke is already smashing it.
He just won another European Tour event and looks almost unstoppable. Of course, there are a few other players with high ceilings, so on any given day anything can happen." During an appearance on the Love The Darts podcast, Bunting addressed the boos and whistles Littler endured at the World Series finals, questioning whether the crowd’s reaction had crossed a line. "A loud whistle can really throw a player off – I’ve experienced it in my own career," Bunting said. "It’s not pleasant and it can be distracting when you’re aiming for a double, but it’s a minority of fans." Looking ahead, Bunting himself will be competing at the World Grand Prix in Leicester, hoping to finally break through after two previous semi‑final appearances.
"Definitely, I think I can win the title in Leicester," he told Sky Sports. "If I go in with good form and the momentum from the upcoming events, I feel confident. The Grand Prix’s double‑out format suits me – I love hitting my doubles.
It’s a great tournament, Sky Sports covers it brilliantly, and I want to put on a show for the fans and lift the trophy." Fans at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena will also be treated to Bunting’s new walk‑on anthem, "Titanium," a track he says is his son’s favourite. "It was an easy choice – I wanted to move away from the Peter Griffin and ‘Bird is the Word’ songs," he explained. "The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s one of the best walk‑on songs in my opinion.
When the crowd sings along, it lifts my spirits and takes the pressure off. It feels like having a 12th man on the stage. The crowd’s energy is a huge part of my game, and I love giving them something back." Bunting also spoke to Sky Sports News about the upcoming release of his autobiography, "Bulletproof," a title that nods to the chorus of "Titanium" and his own nickname. He described the book as a candid account of his journey, including the darker periods when he struggled with gambling addiction.
"Sometimes it’s really tough," Bunting admitted when asked about the hate he sometimes receives on social media. "I’m lucky to have a great team, a supportive family and amazing fans who helped me through a rough patch. The whole ‘people’s champion’ controversy was taken out of context, but I’ve moved past it.
I’m rebuilding my confidence, even if the results haven’t reflected that yet." He emphasized that the autobiography needed to be an honest life story. "I had to include everything – the gambling debts were a huge part of my life. When I hit low points, I’d lock myself away and gamble on my phone.
It was a terrible place to be. I got help from a sports psychologist and a hypnotist, and that support helped me reframe things in a more positive light. Gambling was an escape, but I’ve put that behind me.
If even a single reader can learn something from my experience, the book will have been worth it." For anyone affected by the issues raised in this article – whether gambling, mental health struggles, or online abuse – help and information are available through Sky’s support services. Sky Sports remains the home of darts, broadcasting the World Grand Prix (28 September–4 October), the Grand Slam of Darts (14–22 November) and the World Darts Championship (10 December–3 January). Viewers can stream all events live via NOW without a contract, ensuring that fans worldwide can follow every dart‑throwing drama as it unfolds.