Darts story and 5-time world champion Eric Bristow dies vulnerable 60

Darts story Eric Bristow has died on the age of 60 following a coronary heart attack.

He had been at a promotional occasion in Liverpool on Thursday afternoon and died rapidly afterwards.

His agent told The Day-to-day Replicate: « Or no longer it’s devastating files for the total family. This has near as a gigantic shock and we would adore some privateness at the present.

« Right here’s a colossal loss to the wearing world and the enviornment of darts. He is a legendary character. »

Bristow, referred to because the Crafty Cockney, changed into as soon as a 5-time BDO world champion – winning his first title in 1980 on the age of 23.

He changed into as soon as awarded an MBE for services and products to sport in 1989 and inducted into the Legitimate Darts Company hall of reputation in 2005.

An announcement released by the PDC mentioned: « The Legitimate Darts Company is deeply saddened to voice that 5-time World Champion Eric Bristow MBE passed away on Thursday evening following a coronary heart attack.

« Arguably the game’s first megastar player, Bristow, 60, changed into as soon as World Champion 5 cases between 1980-1986 and moreover won 5 World Masters titles at some stage in to take into accounta good profession.

« Bristow changed into as soon as one amongst the founder gamers when the PDC (then World Darts Council) changed into as soon as shaped in 1993 because the game’s main stars broke far from the British Darts Organisation.

« The 60-year-used changed into as soon as inducted into the PDC Hall of Repute in 2005 alongside gigantic rival John Lowe, and since retiring from opponents on the discontinuance of 2007 remained a customary resolve on the exhibition circuit.

« Bristow moreover worked as a TV pundit and spotter for Sky Sports activities, changed into as soon as awarded the MBE for his services and products to sport in 1989 and looked on ITV’s « I am A Critical person…Glean Me Out Of Right here » in 2012. »

East Londoner Bristow changed into as soon as widely regaled as one amongst the game’s first bona-fide superstars, and after relocating to Staffordshire performed a valuable role in the construction of sixteen-time world champion Phil Taylor.

PDC Chairman Barry Hearn led the tributes to Bristow following the announcement of his death.

“Eric will always be a story on the planet of darts and British sport. He changed into as soon as a huge player and a colossal character and even after his retirement fans would skedaddle for miles to meet him and gaze him play.

“Eric changed into as soon as by no manner vexed of controversy, but he spoke as he stumbled on and changed into as soon as honest and straight forward which is what of us admired about him. The PDC, and the game of darts, will omit him.”