Looking Back: When Luke Littler Backed Dimitri Van den Bergh’s Surprise Walk-On Song Change

Looking back, few off-the-oche stories sparked as much debate among darts fans as the day Dimitri Van den Bergh decided to leave one of the PDC’s most iconic walk-on songs behind.

It wasn’t about a nine-darter. It wasn’t about a trophy. Instead, it was about a piece of music that had become almost as famous as the player himself.

For years, Van den Bergh dancing onto the stage to Pharrell Williams’ Happy was one of the defining sights in professional darts. Before a dart had even been thrown, fans were already smiling, clapping along and waiting for his trademark moves.

So when word emerged back in early 2025 that “The DreamMaker” had decided to drop the song, it quickly became one of the biggest talking points in the darts community.

Many supporters couldn’t imagine Van den Bergh without Happy. The walk-on had become part of his identity, helping transform him into one of the sport’s most entertaining personalities.

Over the years, his entrance created countless memorable moments. Whether he was walking into Alexandra Palace, the Winter Gardens or another packed arena, the crowd often danced along before the match had even begun.

That was exactly why his decision came as such a surprise.

At the time, however, Luke Littler understood why a player might want a change.

The teenage sensation backed Van den Bergh’s decision, recognising that even something as iconic as a walk-on song can eventually feel stale to the player using it. While fans often become emotionally attached to traditions, players sometimes need a fresh start to keep themselves motivated.

It’s easy to forget just how important walk-on songs are in modern darts.

Unlike many other sports, a player’s entrance has become part of the entertainment. Certain songs instantly remind fans of specific players long before they’re introduced on stage.

Think Michael van Gerwen with Seven Nation Army. Nathan Aspinall getting crowds bouncing with Mr Brightside. Luke Humphries eventually switching to I Predict a Riot. And, of course, Luke Littler arriving to Greenlight, a song inspired by WrestleMania that has become synonymous with “The Nuke” during his remarkable rise.

That’s why Van den Bergh’s decision wasn’t simply about changing music.

It felt like the end of an era.

Fans had watched him celebrate victories, suffer defeats and lift major trophies with Happy playing through packed arenas. The song and the dance routine had become inseparable from his image.

Some supporters admitted they would miss the old entrance, while others respected his willingness to evolve rather than staying the same simply because people expected it.

Looking back now, Littler’s reaction also showed a maturity beyond his years.

Rather than criticising the decision or focusing on tradition, he recognised something every elite athlete understands: confidence comes in many forms.

Sometimes it’s a new set of darts.

Sometimes it’s a technical tweak.

And sometimes it’s simply walking onto the stage to different music.

It’s a reminder that what fans see for two or three minutes before a match can have a genuine impact on a player’s mindset. If changing a walk-on helps someone feel refreshed or mentally ready, then it’s easy to understand why they would make that choice—even if it disappoints those watching.

The story also highlighted how much the culture of darts has evolved.

Years ago, walk-ons were little more than a quick introduction before the match started.

Today, they’re a major part of the spectacle.

Crowds sing every word, dance along and often remember entrances just as vividly as the matches themselves. That’s one of the reasons darts has attracted so many new fans over the past decade.

Looking back from today, Van den Bergh’s decision remains one of those moments that reminded everyone how personal the sport can be. Behind the lights, the music and the packed arenas are players constantly searching for anything that might give them an edge or simply make them feel more like themselves.

Luke Littler’s support for the move also reflected the mindset of a new generation of professionals—one that’s less concerned with protecting tradition for tradition’s sake and more focused on doing whatever feels right as an individual.

Not every fan agreed with the change, and perhaps that’s exactly why people still remember it.

Whenever discussions turn to the greatest walk-on songs in PDC history, Happy still finds its way into the conversation. Even though Van den Bergh chose to move on, the memories attached to that entrance haven’t gone anywhere.

It’s one of those moments that reminds us why darts is about much more than what happens after the first dart is thrown.

Looking back, do you still associate Dimitri Van den Bergh with Happy, or do you think changing such an iconic walk-on song was the right decision? Share your memories and let us know which PDC entrance you think will always be impossible to replace.