Beyond the Arena: How Luke Littler and Ben Stokes Authored the Most Memorable Quotes of the Year

“Every 17 Years, a Star Gets Born”
​January 2025 marked a changing of the guard at the Alexandra Palace.

After Luke Littler dismantled the legendary Michael van Gerwen to become the youngest-ever World Darts Champion at 17, the Dutchman offered a quote for the ages: “I’m 35, he’s 17. Every 17 years, a star gets born.”

It was a rare moment of vulnerability from ‘Mighty Mike,’ signaling to the world that “The Nuke” hadn’t just arrived—he had taken over.