“They’re having a nice big pint at 6am” – Michael van Gerwen’s hilarious British culture verdict

In a sport where confidence, bravado and a healthy dose of humour go hand in hand, a light-hearted ‘British Test’ interview by SportsJOE with Michael van Gerwen and Stephen Bunting delivered exactly what makes darts so popular: banter, self-deprecation and an unexpectedly thoughtful look at culture, sport and identity.

What began as a playful attempt to determine whether Van Gerwen could pass as “a true Brit” quickly turned into an entertaining culture clash between the three-time world champion from Vlijmen and the ever-smiling Bunting from St Helens. And as is so often the case when these two cross paths, it was not really about winning or losing – it was about entertainment.

Asked what he considers typically British, Van Gerwen did not hesitate. “Definitely an English breakfast — 100%.”

But he went further than that. What stands out most to him? The airport pint.

“If you go to an airport in England in the morning, whatever time it is, they’re having a nice big pint.”

Bunting could hardly argue with that observation. Many Britons like to start their holidays early — including with a pint at five or six in the morning before they have even boarded the plane.

Van Gerwen also added another stereotype with a grin: “And where’s the sun cream? They never use it!” Bunting laughed and admitted there might be some truth in that.

The tone was set immediately. This was not a serious examination, but a cheerful clash of cultures filled with playful jabs.

If there is one symbol of Britain, it is tea. So Van Gerwen was tasked with making “a proper British cup of tea”, under Bunting’s watchful eye as judge.

The first key decision was the brand. Bunting made his preference clear: “I prefer Yorkshire Tea.” Van Gerwen immediately followed suit. “Then I go for the Yorkshire Tea.”

The debate quickly moved to preparation. One teabag or two? Milk first or after brewing? Van Gerwen opted for two teabags, prioritising strength over subtlety. “I normally use two teabags — otherwise it takes too long to get strong.”

Bunting, who usually puts the milk in first, watched on with amusement. The final verdict? A decent cup, though “I’d put a bit more milk in.”

Van Gerwen admitted he prefers his tea cooler so it is ready to drink straight away, while Bunting likes his piping hot.

Of course, no British cup of tea is complete without a biscuit. The choice fell on a custard cream. Both men agreed it is a classic, though Bunting warned about the dangers of dunking: “Not a good dunker — you dunk it once and it falls in your brew.”

In the second round, Van Gerwen had to predict how the British public had answered several poll questions.

Do Britons believe they have the best cuisine in the world? Van Gerwen did not hesitate. “No. They can’t think that.” The numbers largely backed him up: 73% said no. Still, 27% believed they did. “Because they love their country!” he responded.

Who has the better walk-on — Van Gerwen or Bunting? The Dutchman was strikingly honest. “The Brits will say Stephen Bunting.” He was right: 61% chose Bunting.

Bunting always walks on to Titanium, a song the crowd belts out loudly. Van Gerwen acknowledged the impact of that. “The Brits love a song they can sing along to.”

Both agreed a walk-on is more than just music. It is part of the performance. “It adds to the performance. The fans pay good money — we’ve got to give them something back,” said Bunting.

Other iconic walk-ons were also mentioned, including Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Nathan Aspinall. Van Gerwen reminisced about Raymond van Barneveld and Phil Taylor, whose famous entrance once sent arenas into a frenzy.

Another provocative question: would Britons rather give up tea or beer? Both Van Gerwen and Bunting predicted tea would lose out. They were correct — 60% would give up tea instead of their pint.

Van Gerwen was surprised the figure was not even higher. An interesting detail: he himself does not drink beer. “I’ve never drunk beer in my life,” he admitted. For him, the choice would be simple.

Perhaps the most intriguing discussion centred on whether darts should be an Olympic sport. The result: 55% of Britons said no.

Van Gerwen offered a measured view. “I get asked this all the time. For me it’s a mix between entertainment and sport. Whatever people say, I don’t really care.”

Bunting does not currently see a clear path to the Olympic Games either, though he left the door slightly open. The sport is growing rapidly, and who knows what the future may bring.

With a wink, Van Gerwen added that he would happily become an Olympian — provided there are benefits attached. “Does it get me special privileges? Better cups of tea?”

In the final picture round, Van Gerwen instantly recognised an iconic British snack: the sausage roll. He could not resist adding that they are better in Holland.

He also immediately identified the clothing brand Stone Island, joking that “very handsome people wear that,” even if he does not wear it as often as he used to.

Did he ultimately pass his British test? According to Bunting, yes. “He passes.”

Van Gerwen closed with one final quip: “I didn’t make any mistakes — so I definitely pass.”