Dimitri Van den Bergh on Luke Littler, World Darts Championship hopes, and the British obsession he can’t stand

After a two-month spell away from competitive action, Dimitri Van den Bergh has returned to the oche with renewed energy and a clear sense of purpose. The 30-year-old Belgian, affectionately known as 'The DreamMaker', made his comeback at the World Cup of Darts, teaming up with compatriot Mike De Decker to represent Belgium on the international stage.

Since then, Van den Bergh has featured in three Players Championship events as well as a European Tour qualifier. While the results have been modest — a fourth-round run, a third-round exit, an early departure, and failure to qualify for the European Tour — there are signs the former World Matchplay champion is gearing up for a strong second half of the season.

As part of his return, Van den Bergh recently paid a visit to the UK headquarters of Target Darts, the manufacturer that has supplied his equipment since 2022. The visit doubled as a media and sponsorship day, with fellow Target stars Luke Littler, Josh Rock, and Stephen Bunting also on the books.

During his time there, Van den Bergh took part in a light-hearted but refreshingly honest 20 Questions interview with talkSPORT, offering fans a glimpse into his personality beyond the oche.

Among the more amusing revelations? He can’t stand Worcestershire sauce, and he’s utterly perplexed by the British obsession with peas. “There’s just no flavour,” he joked. “Please, just leave them off the plate!”

On the flip side, Van den Bergh showed his love for Fast & Furious films (yes, he’s a Vin Diesel fan), darts at Ally Pally, Bruno Mars, and football — with his allegiances split between Royal Antwerp and Arsenal. In a particularly memorable moment, he even gave a spirited rendition of Bruno Mars' Grenade, live during the interview.

The Belgian ace also spoke warmly about his long-standing friendship with Rowby-John Rodriguez: “I’ve got a bunch of really good friends in darts,” he said. “But one of my best mates is Rowby-John Rodriguez — Rusty’s older brother."

“We’ve known each other a long time, ever since the Europe Cup Youth. I think we were 15 and 16 back then, so yeah — I’ve known him for half my life.”

Van den Bergh also took a moment to reflect on the extraordinary rise of his fellow Target stablemate, Luke Littler, whose rapid ascent to the top of the sport has left a lasting impression on fans and players alike. “For me, it’s all about respect — for what he is and what he does,” Van den Bergh said. “It’s amazing to see such raw talent. He plays with so much smoothness, so much ease — and he’s just relentless."

“You can see it in his demeanour — there’s nothing clouding his mind when he plays. He’s not a parent, he doesn’t have big responsibilities yet — he’s just focused on darts, and he’s already given himself and his family an amazing life. Hats off to him.”

Van den Bergh has witnessed Littler’s meteoric rise first-hand and finds it remarkable how the teenager has handled the spotlight. “What he’s done in the last 12 months is incredible. Even before then, I saw him growing into a proper star — then he came into the PDC, qualified for the Worlds, smashed in a huge average against Andrew Gilding, and powered all the way to the final," he recalls. “A year later, he wins it. Then he wins the Premier League. At 17 or 18 years old — imagine that. He’s just turned 18 and already a millionaire, and on top of that, an unbelievable darts player.”

What impresses Van den Bergh the most is Littler’s consistency under pressure. “He just fires out a 12-darter like it’s nothing. Effortless. And when he does miss, it’s usually just a double. He doesn’t give you many chances," he explains. “I’ve got to be honest — I’ve never seen anyone this complete at his age. That’s the key detail: at his age. It’s something truly special.”

Van den Bergh also expressed enthusiasm for the PDC’s revamped World Darts Championship format, which will now see a record 128 players start — up from 96 — and all from round 1 as well, with no protection for the seeds, along with a significant increase in prize money.

“I have to say, what the PDC is doing is really exciting,” he said. “They’ve increased the field from 96 to 128 players, so there are a lot more players involved — but there’s also a lot more money to be won," says the Belgian. “It hasn’t happened yet, so it’s going to be something unique. I’m very curious to see how it plays out. Of course, anyone can lose — but anyone can win too. There’s always a flip side, and that’s what makes it so interesting.”

Following a short but seemingly restorative break, Van den Bergh appears reinvigorated as he looks to carve out a fresh chapter in his career. With the PDC World Darts Championship looming on the horizon, don’t be surprised if The DreamMaker reasserts himself among the sport’s elite before the year is out.