Sky Declares Most Iconic TV Phrases of the Year with Diversity Stars Jordan and Ashley Banjo
In a recent announcement from Sky, the most iconic television phrase of the last year has been revealed as “Gladiators Ready!” from the popular show ‘Gladiators’. The duo from Diversity, Ashley and Jordan Banjo, recreated some of the most beloved TV phrases in their own living room. These phrases have transcended the small screen to become a part of our everyday language. The brothers selected phrases like David Beckham’s “Be honest” from a recent documentary and Game of Thrones’ “Winter is Coming” to showcase the biggest shows of the year using Sky voice control technology.
According to the study conducted by Sky, 19 per cent of respondents voted for “Gladiators Ready” from the recent BBC revival as the most memorable phrase of the year. This was closely followed by “I am a Faithful” from ‘The Traitors’ reality gameshow and “Sent from iPhone” which gained popularity in the Netflix series ‘Baby Reindeer’. The research also highlighted that TV phrases have integrated into social culture, with 37 per cent of participants sharing TV memes with friends and family on social media and 22 per cent exchanging TV phrases, clips, and GIFs on platforms like WhatsApp or via text.
Furthermore, the study found that 38 per cent of people admit to regularly quoting phrases from their favourite TV shows about 10 times a month. This phenomenon has led a quarter of individuals to believe that TV phrases are now a part of everyday life and have influenced modern-day language significantly. In celebration of these unforgettable lines, Sky has included a selection of iconic TV phrases into its voice control glossary for Sky TV, providing viewers with an easier way to access their beloved shows and relive memorable moments.
One of the exciting aspects of this addition to Sky’s voice control feature is the ability for viewers to simply say phrases like “Be honest”, “Dearest gentle reader”, or “Give over!” into their Sky Glass or Sky Stream remote to bring up the respective shows. Gyles Brandreth, Sky TV Sofa Critic, expressed his delight saying, “I love this new addition to the Sky voice control feature. It brings such fun to my viewing experience! As my anticipation builds for my evening programme, I can really get into character as I huskily growl into my remote control… ‘Winter is coming…’ and the full ‘Game of Thrones’ collection is brought up on my Sky Glass TV!”
Ben Case, Managing Director of Sky TV, emphasised the impact of TV on culture, with many lines from shows making their way into everyday conversations and social media feeds. The study revealed that 85% of respondents have cited using a TV show quote in conversations, illustrating TV’s significant role in shaping the zeitgeist. The top ten most iconic TV phrases of the year, ranging from October 2023 to 2024, include:
1. “Gladiators Ready” – Gladiators 2024 (19%)
2. “I am a Faithful” – The Traitors (15%)
3. “Sent from iPhone” – Baby Reindeer (14%)
4. “Give Over!” – Brassic (12%)
5. “Be Honest” – Beckham (12%)
6. “I think I love you” – Love is Blind (10%)
7. “Yes Chef!” – The Bear (9%)
8. “I’m the daddy” – I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here (9%)
9. “Dearest gentle reader” – Bridgerton (8%)
10. “No war so bloody as a war between dragons” – House of the Dragon (7%)
The television landscape continues to influence our everyday language and interactions, with TV phrases becoming ingrained in our culture. Sky’s initiative to incorporate iconic TV phrases into their voice control feature reflects the enduring impact of television on modern society.