In a stunning development that has rocked the world of professional darts, whistleblower and fellow PDC star Stephen Bunting has called on the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) to launch an immediate investigation into teenage sensation Luke Littler’s on-stage meals—alleging they contain performance-enhancing drugs.
Bunting, the 2024 Masters champion, made the explosive claims late Tuesday evening in a since-deleted social media post, before doubling down in an exclusive interview.
“I’ve watched it match after match,” Bunting told our reporter. “A 19-year-old lad, under the brightest lights, chewing on a ham and cheese baguette or a plate of pasta between sets. Then he returns to the oche throwing 180s like they’re practice darts. Something isn’t right. I’m not attacking the kid—I’m attacking the plate.”
Bunting stopped short of naming a specific banned substance but suggested that certain “unregulated additives” could be masked within Littler’s seemingly innocuous arena snacks.
“We get drug-tested for stimulants, steroids, you name it. But nobody’s swabbing a tuna sandwich,” Bunting added. “I’ve tipped off the PDC’s integrity unit. Test the crumbs. Test the mayonnaise. You’ll find something.”
Littler’s camp has dismissed the allegations as “laughable” and “a classic case of sour grapes.” The teenager, who stormed to the World Championship final at age 16 and has since won multiple ranking titles, posted a picture on Instagram of himself eating a chocolate bar with the caption: “Next they’ll say this has EPO in it. 🍫🎯”
PDC chief executive Matt Porter confirmed the governing body has received Bunting’s formal complaint. “We take any suggestion of doping seriously, however outlandish,” Porter said in a statement. “There is no indication Luke Littler has violated any anti-doping rules. Nonetheless, we will review the matter with our usual diligence.”
Former world champion John Part weighed in on the controversy, calling Bunting’s theory “nonsense.” “We’ve seen players eat everything from bananas to curry on stage. Unless butter chicken is now a WADA-prohibited substance, this is a witch hunt.”
But Bunting remains defiant. “Let them investigate. I’ve seen the way he powers through the later legs. That’s not just natural talent. That’s a well-fueled machine. The truth is in the leftovers.”
The PDC has not announced a formal inquiry, but sources indicate the sport’s anti-doping advisors have been asked to review current policies on in-competition food consumption. Littler is scheduled to play in next week’s Premier League night in Dublin—presumably with his usual order of chips and a soda on standby.
For now, darts fans are divided: hero or cheat? Sandwich or steroids? One thing is certain—the sport’s quietest corner just got very, very loud.
