The PDC World Darts Championship has been rocked by an off-stage scandal of Shakespearean proportions, as fan-favorite Stephen Bunting has issued a grovelling apology to teenage sensation Luke Littler over a shocking incident involving Littler’s girlfriend, Faith Miller.
Witnesses claim the drama unfolded late Wednesday night at a players’ lounge following the quarter-finals. According to multiple onlookers, a visibly emotional Bunting was seen embracing Ms. Miller before the situation allegedly escalated into what one spectator described as “a full-on, ten-second clinch.”
The news exploded across social media under the hashtag #DartsLoveTriangle, forcing Bunting, 38, to release a statement in the early hours of Thursday.
“I am deeply, deeply sorry to Luke and his family,” a red-eyed Bunting told reporters outside his hotel. “There is no excuse. The atmosphere, the adrenaline, the walk-on girl… I mean, the walk-on music—it just got to me. I got carried away. One minute I was congratulating Faith on Luke’s 180 average, the next… well, I disgraced myself.”
Bunting, known for his ‘The Bullet’ nickname and gentle demeanor, stressed that the incident was entirely out of character. “I’m a happily married man. I don’t know what came over me. Maybe it was the travel. I’d like to clarify that I did not make out with her. We merely… shared a prolonged moment of emotional lip-to-lip contact.”
However, a leaked phone video obtained by The Oche appears to show otherwise. In the grainy clip, Bunting can be seen dipping Faith Miller backward as the chorus of “Titanium” (his walk-on song) plays from a nearby jukebox.
Luke Littler, 19, who was reportedly practicing checkouts in another room, learned of the incident via a flood of notifications on his phone. His initial reaction was captured by a teammate: “He just looked at his phone, then at his plate of pizza, and said, ‘The ham’s gone cold.’”
Faith Miller, 18, took to Instagram to pour cold water on the rumors. “Stop being dramatic! Stephen was just showing me a new grip technique and lost his balance. My lip just got caught on his mustache for a few seconds. Luke and I are fine. He’s more upset about losing his 180 average.”
Despite the denials, PDC officials have launched an immediate investigation. Security confirmed they are reviewing footage of Bunting and Miller “practicing oche etiquette” in a darkened corner.
When asked for a response, Luke Littler simply shrugged and said: “I’ll settle it on the board. Next time we play, I’m taking his eye out with a flight-tip combo. Also, Faith is sleeping on the sofa.”
The darts world remains divided. Legend Phil Taylor called it “the most bizarre walk-off since I lost my teeth in ’94,” while commentator Wayne Mardle sobbed live on air: “Not Stephen. Anyone but Stephen. He’s meant to be the nice one.”
Tournament organizers have confirmed that Bunting and Littler will not be placed in the same practice room “for the foreseeable future,” and all future walk-on songs containing romantic lyrics will be pre-vetted.
As for the love triangle? With Bunting’s apology accepted “under protest” and Faith Miller posting a couple’s photo with Littler hours later captioned “Still my treble 20 ❤️,” it seems the show—and the chaos—will go on.
For now, darts fans are left with one question: Is there anything about this sport that doesn’t end in a dramatic checkout?
