​Stephen ‘The Bullet’ Bunting has won more than 30 regional and national titles during his long darts career [PA Media]Stephen “The Bullet” Bunting’s love for darts was formed at a young age while watching his dad play at their local pub.”I think I was about 12 or 13,” he remembered. “Hood up, sneaking around, sitting at the back, being very quiet with a bag of crisps and a fizzy orange.”Nearly three decades later, and now a father himself, everything has gone full circle for Fazakerley’s finest.His elder son now watches him play… albeit in sold-out arenas across the country rather than in their local boozer.”In darts, if it goes wrong there’s only you that can change it,” said the 41-year-old Bunting, who now lives in St Helens. “But no matter who’s in the audience… I hear [my son’s] voice above anyone else, even if there’s 20,000 in the crowd.”I’ll hear him shouting me, geeing me up. “I think that’s the most important thing – to try and stay positive.”Stephen Bunting enjoys huge support from passionate darts fans [PA Media]Bunting’s walk-on routine ahead of his matches features David Guetta and Sia’s hit Titanium.It often goes viral on social media and never fails to get the crowd singing along. “It’s amazing to be honest,” said Bunting. “You do feel like a pop star. “They’re all singing it back to you.”As a teenager, Bunting won the British Teenage Open and World Youth Masters titles before making his BDO [British Dart Organisation] World Championship debut aged only 18.Since then, Bunting has amassed more than 30 regional and national titles in addition to his multiple professional tournament wins.’Beers in the air’He has witnessed how the game has captured the attention of much bigger audiences in recent years, in large part thanks to another teenage sensation from the North West, Luke Littler. “It’s crazy to think that all them years ago when I was playing the BDO, there was people in the front row doing some knitting,” he said. “It was crazy and now you’ve people throwing beers in the air at £8 a pint. “Just a really party, carnival atmosphere. Everyone enjoys the darts.”Bunting’s life story has now been turned into a book – Bulletproof: From Pub to Palace, My Life in Darts.”It’s a dream come true to be honest,” he said.”I never thought that I would have had a book out, especially when I first started playing.”Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.Bunting says son, 13, receiving online abuseBunting silences critics with win in BelfastDarts star Bunting’s new love… retro football stickers