ST HELENS darter Stephen Bunting capped a fine first 12-months on the PDC circuit by securing a wildcard spot in the prestigious Premier League which takes place in the major city arenas of Britain and Ireland.

The Windle-based thrower has earned his spot after captivating the television audiences with his blistering World Championship performances against James Wade and Michael Smith before losing a gripping quarter-final against Raymond van Barneveld.

The 2014 Lakeside Champion has also proved to be a character – with the crowds lapping up his entrance to the arena to the theme tune to Family Guy cartoon –which is a nod towards his likeness to the show’s main character, Peter Griffin.

So with so many boxes ticked for the viewers, it is no wonder then that Bunting has leap-frogged some higher ranked players to secure his place among the sport’s elite, joining follower Sintelliner Dave Chisnall, in a competition that kicks off in Leeds on 5 February.

Bunting has been delighted with the way his first year has gone – and has been overwhelmed with the support he has received from the town after the high profile the sport has enjoyed over the festive period.

The 29-year-old said: “The reaction has been phenomenal – people have been coming up to me in the shops to congratulate me and my phone and Twitter have gone absolutely berserk.

“I have also had lots of ex-Liverpool players tweeting me and sending private messages to congratulate me. The support has been overwhelming.”

Bunting won his opening three rounds before succumbing to Raymond van Barneveld in a gripping nine-set quarter final – a game in which he was terribly unlucky.

“I gave it my all but the bounce out on the bull in the last set cost me a shot and then he took the 124 out and that was a hurtful blow.

“But the respect that Barney showed me after the match, when he grabbed the microphone and said all those kind words, was brilliant really and that has summed up my year.

“When he said that, all the emotions came out of me,” Bunting said.

Bunting will take his family to DisneyLand Paris this week, just to take a break and re-charge his batteries.

He said: “It is important to get a break - it has been hectic and it is going to be a really busy year with the Premier League every week.

“But all this time away will pay for all the nice things my son Toby is going to be able to look forward to in future.”

But next week he will be back on the boards preparing for the start of the Premier League – a tournament that elevates him up with the sport’s big boys.

He said: “I always knew that if I put in good Worlds then the Premier League was there in the back of my mind.

“Barry Hearn and Sky have given me the nod so it is now down to me to produce my best darts in some magnificent arenas – and I am really looking forward to it.

“It is a shame Michael Smith never got in but his time will come because he is a fantastic player.

“But I am glad that Chizzy is there because we are really good friends – and it will be nice to get up on the big arena and play him.

“I am going in with no expectations but I am looking forward to the big clashes – games against the van Barnevelds, van Gerwens and Taylors.”