The 41-year-old darts star was able to score his second nightly win of the season by beating defending PL champion Luke Humphries on Thursday (21.05.26) in Sheffield, and despite not making it through to the semi-finals at London's O2 next week, The Bullet is feeling positive.

He said: "People wrote me off, said I shouldn't be in the Premier League, but I finished fifth and had two nightly wins. I dug deep tonight.

"There was pressure off, but sometimes you see people in this position think it doesn't matter. I really wanted to win and make a statement.

"I want to be in the Premier League for years to come and that was a massive statement from me."

Bunting pointed to the "unbelievable" crowd, and admitted he was much happier with his fifth place finish.

He added: "I felt great all night and this crowd were unbelievable. Everywhere I have gone in the Premier League, I have really enjoyed myself.

"I did a lot better than last year [when I finished bottom]. I am a lot more confident and have a lot more belief.

"I played some fantastic darts tonight and am just so proud of myself."

It means The Bullet's Premier League season ends with a 6-3 Sheffield win against Humphries, even if he did miss out on the semi-finals.

Humphries did enough on the night to end up in third, meaning he'll avoid a semi-final clash against world champion Luke Littler - who he thrashed in the Sheffield semi - on finals night next week.

Instead, he'll go up against Welsh player Jonny Clayton, whose countryman Gerwyn Price will face Littler with a spot in the final at stake.