STEPHEN BUNTING admitted the crowd made him “emotional” as he booked his spot in the Grand Slam of Darts knockout stages.
The 39-year-old beat Josh Rock 5-2 to seal second place in Group H as he averaged an impressive 106.66.
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Stephen Bunting gave an honest interview following his win at the Grand Slam of DartsSky Sports
He admitted to being moved by the crowd in WolverhamptonSky Sports
Stephen Bunting completes the Grand Slam of Darts last-16 lineup ✅ pic.twitter.com/mZIZRolywt
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Bunting, who reached the semi-finals of the Wolverhampton tournament last year, is a fan-favourite among avid darts fans.
His win over Rock was a popular one inside the Aldersley Leisure Village as he moves on to face two-time world champion Gary Anderson.
And The Bullet revealed after the match that he had to tell pundit Mark Webster not to make him cry live on air.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Bunting said: “Listen to this crowd. How can you not win in front of them? It’s unbelievable.
“As soon as I got out on stage tonight you could hear them singing, ‘Let’s go Bunting mental’.
“It’s very emotional to be honest, I’m an emotional guy so I had to check myself back to make sure I wouldn’t cry.
“I even had to say to Mark Webster: ‘Don’t say anything so I cry on Sky again!’
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“The crowd is exceptional, and wherever I’m playing now I’ve got my own sets of fans.
“They talk about it in football having a 12th man, and it’s even more important for a player up on the stage. It’s only you who can bring the performance out.
“Sometimes when things aren’t going well a couple of cheers from the crowd can gee you right up and that’s what happened tonight, I raised off the crowd.”
Bunting’s Masters victory earlier this year has given him a new-found confidence heading into the biggest tournaments.
And while he will face Scottish legend Anderson next in the Grand Slam of Darts, the Liverpool-born cult hero has no fear.
On how he has changed since his Masters win, Bunting said: “I think the main thing is belief.
“I believe that when I turn up now, I can win games. I’m walking up here and I’m confident again. That makes me dangerous and long may that continue.
“My game’s in a great place. I love playing on the TV. I love playing in front of these great crowds, and, long may it continue. I think I’ve got quite a few years ahead of me.”
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