Stephen Bunting is convinced that Luke Littler has the potential to finish his career as the greatest darts player ever, even if he never amasses as many championship crowns as the sport’s most iconic figure, Phil Taylor. Littler entered the 2026 season looking unstoppable. After clinching the World Championship at Alexandra Palace in January, he proceeded to dominate the World Masters, the UK Open, the Premier League, the World Cup of Darts and the World Matchplay – six premier titles in a row that propelled him to the world No.1 ranking. A clean sweep of every ranking event seemed within reach until an unexpected loss at the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam ended his run.
In Amsterdam, the 19‑year‑old was stopped in the quarter‑finals by Jonny Clayton, a defeat that halted his quest for a historic monopoly that would have included the World Series of Darts Finals, the World Grand Prix, the European Championship, the Grand Slam of Darts and the Players Championship Finals. Despite the setback, pundits and former champions alike are already talking about Littler as a possible all‑time great, and Bunting is among the most vocal supporters. "I do," the 41‑year‑old Bunting told Sky Sports News when asked whether he believes Littler could end up being the best darts player in history.
"He still has a lot more to give the sport." Bunting does, however, acknowledge that Phil "The Power" Taylor will likely retain the edge when it comes to sheer numbers of world titles. "Taylor won 16 world championships, and you can’t take that away from him," Bunting said. "Littler may win many titles, but the standard of play today is higher than it was in Phil’s era, so direct comparisons are tricky." What Bunting emphasizes is Littler’s cultural impact. The young Englishman has dramatically lowered the age profile of professional darts, making the sport feel fresh and accessible to younger audiences.
"If you ask anyone who a darts player is, they’ll say Luke Littler," Bunting noted. "His name carries a lot of weight right now." When pressed about who truly deserves the title of "best ever," Bunting prefers to let the two legends sort it out themselves. "Based on his ceiling, Luke is already the best player in the world today," he said.
"But Phil’s record is untouchable – 16 world titles is a benchmark that will stand for a long time. If Phil tells me he’s the best, I’ll believe him." Bunting also reflected on his own career ambitions. He is set to compete in the upcoming World Grand Prix in Leicester, hoping to finally break through after two previous semi‑final appearances.
"The Grand Prix uses a double‑out format, which I love because it lets me showcase my finishing," he explained. "I’m looking to arrive in great form, use the momentum from the recent events, and hopefully lift the trophy." The atmosphere at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena will be amplified by Bunting’s walk‑on music – the high‑energy track "Titanium" – which he says is a personal favourite of his son’s. "It’s a massive moment when the crowd sings along and I feel their support as a twelfth man," he added. "The walk‑on takes the pressure off and gives me a boost before I step up to the oche." Beyond the oche, Bunting recently opened up about his forthcoming autobiography, "Bulletproof," a title that nods both to the lyric in "Titanium" and his own nickname.
The book delves into his struggles with online hate, a controversial "people’s champion" incident that was taken out of context, and a darker period when gambling debts threatened to derail his life. "I was in a rut, locked myself away, and fell into gambling on my phone," he confessed. "It was a horrible place, but with the help of a sports psychologist and a hypnotist, I managed to turn that chapter around." Bunting hopes the honesty in his story will help anyone facing similar challenges. "If even one reader can see a path out of that darkness because of my book, then it’s worth it," he said.
The article also touches on a less pleasant aspect of modern darts – the occasional booing and whistling directed at players. Bunting recalled being distracted by a loud whistle during the World Series of Darts Finals and described it as "off‑putting". He stressed that such incidents are the minority, but they can still affect concentration when a player is aiming for a crucial double.
Looking ahead, Sky Sports will continue to broadcast the major tournaments that define the darts calendar: the World Grand Prix (September 28 – October 4), the Grand Slam of Darts (November 14 – 22) and the World Darts Championship (December 10 – January 3). Fans can stream all the action via NOW without a contract, and support resources are listed for anyone affected by the personal issues discussed in the piece. In summary, while Phil Taylor’s record of 16 world titles remains a towering achievement, many believe Luke Littler is on a trajectory that could see him crowned the greatest in terms of influence, skill level, and the ability to inspire a new generation.
Stephen Bunting’s endorsement adds weight to that narrative, and as the 2026 season unfolds, the darts world will be watching closely to see whether Littler can turn potential into an enduring legacy.