Stephen Bunting is convinced that Luke Littler has the potential to finish his career as the most outstanding darts player ever, even if he never amasses as many championship titles as the iconic Phil "The Power" Taylor. The 19‑year‑old prodigy was on the brink of a historic clean‑sweep of the 2026 ranking calendar when a shocking defeat at the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam abruptly halted his run. Having entered the year as the world No.1, Littler had already captured the first six premier events of the season. After clinching 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 trophy cabinet.
A victory in Amsterdam would have given him the World Series of Darts Finals, the World Grand Prix, the European Championship, the Grand Slam of Darts and the Players Championship Finals – a total of eleven major titles in a single year, an unprecedented monopoly. Instead, Littler’s campaign ended in the quarter‑finals, where he was out‑shot by Jonny Clayton. The loss was a disappointment, but it did not diminish the chorus of experts who are already proclaiming the teenage sensation as the greatest player the sport has ever seen.
Bunting, a seasoned commentator and former champion, was among those making the bold prediction. "I do," the 41‑year‑old told Sky Sports News when asked whether he believes Littler can retire as the sport’s all‑time best. "He still has so much more to give to darts." Bunting was quick to add, however, that Phil Taylor’s record will likely remain a benchmark for title count. "Littler will win a lot of world titles, but I don’t think he’ll reach Phil’s tally," he explained.
"The standard of play today is far higher than it was in Phil’s era. Phil dominated his time, but the game has evolved." He continued, "Luke has changed the sport in a way we haven’t seen before. He’s lowered the age barrier – when you ask anyone what a darts player looks like, they name Luke Littler.
That’s the power of his brand." Bunting also noted that the ultimate verdict should be left to Taylor and Littler themselves. "Based on his ceiling, Luke is already the best player in the world right now," he said.
"Phil won 16 World Championships – you can’t take that away from him. If Phil says he’s the best, I’ll respect that.
I’d be happy to win a title or two, but Luke is already smashing records." He praised Littler’s recent form, mentioning another European Tour victory and describing him as "pretty unstoppable". Yet Bunting reminded listeners that there are other high‑potential competitors who could challenge Littler on any given day, underscoring the unpredictable nature of elite darts. During an appearance on the Love The Darts podcast, Bunting addressed the incident in Amsterdam where Littler was subjected to boos and whistles from a section of the crowd. "A loud whistle can really throw you off.
I’ve experienced it in my own career. It’s not pleasant and it can be distracting when you’re aiming for a double," he said, adding that such behavior represents a minority of fans.
Looking ahead, Bunting is set to compete at the World Grand Prix in Leicester, where he hopes to improve on his two previous semi‑final finishes. "Definitely, I want to win the title in Leicester," he affirmed. "If I can walk in with good form and confidence from the preceding tournaments, I think I have a real chance. The double‑out format suits me – I love hitting my doubles." He also spoke about his walk‑on music, noting that he now enters the arena to the anthemic "Titanium" – a track his son loves.
"It’s a big shift from the Peter Griffin or 'Bird is the Word' songs I used before. The crowd sings along, and that energy takes the pressure off me.
When they chant ‘let’s go Bunting‑mental’, they become my 12th man. The crowd is a huge part of my game, and I love giving them something back," he explained. Bunting recently launched his autobiography, "Bulletproof", a title that references both the chorus of "Titanium" and his own nickname. In an interview with Sky Sports News, he opened up about the personal challenges he has faced, including a period of intense online criticism and a gambling problem that once threatened his career.
"I’ve been lucky to have a strong support network – my family, my team and the fans helped me through a dark time," he said. "The ‘people’s champion’ controversy was taken out of context, but I’ve moved past it. I’m rebuilding, and my confidence is high even if recent results haven’t reflected that yet." He described how he turned to a sports psychologist and a hypnotist to overcome his gambling addiction, noting that confronting that part of his life was essential for his mental health. "Gambling was a way out at the time, but I managed to put it behind me.
If even a single reader of the book can find help, then the book has done its job," Bunting added. The article concludes with resources for anyone affected by the issues discussed, directing readers to Sky’s support services.
It also reminds fans that Sky Sports will continue to broadcast the major darts events of the season – 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) – all available to stream via NOW without a contract. In summary, while Luke Littler’s quest for an unrivaled trophy haul may still fall short of Phil Taylor’s 16 world titles, his impact on the sport, his youthful dominance, and his ability to attract a new generation of fans make a compelling case for him being regarded as the greatest darts player of his era. Stephen Bunting’s endorsement highlights the respect Littler commands among veterans, and his continued success will be watched closely as the darts world anticipates whether the young phenom can rewrite the record books while carrying forward the legacy of the legends who came before him.