• Londoner was one of the biggest names in 1980s darts • Crafty Cockney later mentored 14-times champion Phil Taylor
Eric Bristow, the five-times world darts champion, has died aged 60 after suffering a heart attack at Liverpool’s Echo Arena.
Bristow, known throughout his career as the “Crafty Cockney”, was one of the biggest names in darts throughout the 1980s – the beginning of the TV boom. The Professional Darts Corporation announced his passing during Thursday night’s Premier League fixture in Liverpool. Immediately afterwards fans at the Echo Arena burst into a rendition of “There’s only one Eric Bristow”. It was a fitting tribute to the man the PDC chairman Barry Hearn described as “a legend”.
One of the first superstars in darts, Bristow won his five titles as a player in the British Darts Organisation, dominating the game between 1980 and 1986. His first title, a 5-3 defeat of Bobby George, marked the start of his dynasty.
A founder player as a number of leading names formed the breakaway World Darts Council (now PDC), Bristow continued to be a key personality within the game, even after his talents waned.
His friendship with Phil Taylor led to his mentoring the “The Power” to become the greatest player of all time and he eventually moved into broadcasting with Sky Sports, combining commentary duties with working as a spotter, plotting checkouts for the players. An appearance on I’m A Celebrity … followed too, and he went into the Australian bush in 2012 and came out with a fourth-place finish.
His time with the broadcaster ended in 2016 after a series of tweets relating to the Barry Bennell abuse scandal. He later apologised for his remarks.
“Eric will always be a legend in the world of darts and British sport. He was a tremendous player and a huge character and even after his retirement fans would travel for miles to meet him and see him play,” Hearn added.
“Eric was never afraid of controversy, but he spoke as he found and was honest and straightforward, which is what people admired about him. The PDC, and the sport of darts, will miss him.”
The unexpected death cast an immediate shadow over events in Liverpool – the commentator Stuart Pyke said Bristow had been at the arena during the action before his heart attack.
As news broke the players on stage – Peter Wright and Daryl Gurney – and Sky’s commentary team were unable to contain their emotions, with all in tears.
Keith Deller, the 1983 world champion – beating Bristow in that final – said on stage: “I’m devastated, me and Eric were together all the time. What he’s done for our game, tonight, if it wasn’t for Eric, no one would be here tonight.
“It is a massive loss to our sport. He said what he thought and it was his honest opinion. Everyone loved Eric for that. When he was playing darts, in our day, he had the self belief to win every tournament.
“It was a long time ago when I won the world championship. To beat Eric in the final, it could not have been any better for me.
“If you look at the stars we have had in Britain, Eric Bristow would be at the top. It is a very sad night. He is one of the best friends I have ever had in my life.”
Wayne Mardle, another former player who is now a commentator, said Bristow was the reason why he took up the game.
“I would never have picked up a dart without Eric Bristow,” Mardle said. “Eric will go down like an absolute superstar of sport. From all walks of life, people know who Eric Bristow was. He had that star quality. Not many people had that. They can show off and think they had it, but Eric had it.”
Eric Bristow, the self-styled Crafty Cockney, has died at the age of 60 after suffering a heart attack, it was announced on Thursday night.
Bristow played a major part in popularising the sport in the 1980s, his good lucks and strident personality making him the poster boy during the start of it boom years.
He won the world championship five times between 1980 and 1986, also taking five World Masters titles and being awarded an MBE for his services to the sport in 1989.
His success made him an instantly recognisable celebrity before he moved behind the cameras to work as a commentator as a new generation led by Phil Taylor, whose career he helped mentor, emerged to ride a new wave of popularity.
He also appeared on ITV show I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here in 2012 but Bristow's television career ended in controversy in 2016 when he posted, at the height of the football sex abuse scandal, a series of tweets that suggested the victims were not “proper men” because they did not “sort out” their abusers later in life.
Although he inititally went on television to defend his remarks amid a growing furore, he was sacked, living out the final year of his life in retirement in his Staffordshire home.
THE Professional Darts Corporation is deeply saddened to announce that five-time World Champion Eric Bristow MBE passed away on Thursday evening following a heart attack.
Arguably the sport’s first superstar player, Bristow, 60, was World Champion five times between 1980-1986 and also won five World Masters titles during an outstanding career.
Bristow was one of the founder players when the PDC (then World Darts Council) was formed in 1993 as the sport's leading stars broke away from the British Darts Organisation.
The 60-year-old was inducted into the PDC Hall of Fame in 2005 alongside great rival John Lowe, and since retiring from competition at the end of 2007 remained a popular figure on the exhibition circuit.
Bristow also worked as a TV pundit and spotter for Sky Sports, was awarded the MBE for his services to sport in 1989 and appeared on ITV's "I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here" in 2012.
Born in east London on April 25 1957, Bristow later relocated to Staffordshire where he proved instrumental in the development of the Phil Taylor as a sponsor and mentor during the early stages of the eventual 16-time World Champion's career.
Taylor went on to defeat Bristow in the 1990 World Championship final, while a 6-0 defeat to Dennis Priestley the following year proved to be his last appearance in a televised final. His final World Championship, in 2000, was his 23rd of an illustrious career which saw him win over 70 professional titles in total.
In 1989, he married Jane Bristow with whom he had two children, Louise in 1991 and James in 1993.
Bristow’s subsequent battle against dartitis was overcome briefly when he reached the semi-finals of the 1997 PDC World Championship, and after making intermittent appearances on the circuit in the following years he competed for a final time on the PDC circuit in 2007.
PDC Chairman Barry Hearn led the tributes to Bristow, stating: “Eric will always be a legend in the world of darts and British sport. He was a tremendous player and a huge character and even after his retirement fans would travel for miles to meet him and see him play.
“Eric was never afraid of controversy, but he spoke as he found and was honest and straightforward which is what people admired about him. The PDC, and the sport of darts, will miss him.”
Eric Bristow in 2004
Eric Bristow & John Lowe being inducted into the PDC Hall of Fame in 2005
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Darts legend Eric Bristow has died at the age of 60 following a heart attack on Thursday evening.
The 'Crafty Cockney' had been at a promotional event in Liverpool ahead of the Premier League event at the Echo Arena.
Bristow had spent the evening playing darts against corporate VIP guests and enjoying a few drinks before collapsing while walking to his car as he left the venue.
The Professional Darts Corporation announced his passing during Thursday night's fixtures, at which point the players on stage - Peter Wright and Daryl Gurney - both broke down in tears.
Immediately after the news was announced, those in attendance at the Echo Arena burst into a rendition of "There's only one Eric Bristow."
His agent told The Daily Mirror: "It's devastating news for the whole family. This has come as a massive shock and we would appreciate some privacy at this time.
"This is a huge loss to the sporting world and the world of darts. He is a legendary character."
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
(Image: Getty Images Sport)
(Image: LAWRENCE LUSTIG)
(Image: LAWRENCE LUSTIG)
The 1983 world champion Keith Deller, who claimed his title by defeating Bristow in the final said on Thursday: "I'm devastated, me and Eric were together all the time.
"What he's done for our game, tonight, if it wasn't for Eric, no one would be here tonight."
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
Bristow, was a five-time BDO world champion - winning his first title in 1980 at the age of 23.
He was awarded an MBE for services to sport in 1989 and inducted into the Professional Darts Corporation hall of fame in 2005.
His career saw him compete in 23 world championships and take over 70 professional titles.
A statement released by the PDC said: "The Professional Darts Corporation is deeply saddened to announce that five-time World Champion Eric Bristow MBE passed away on Thursday evening following a heart attack.
"Arguably the sport’s first superstar player, Bristow, 60, was World Champion five times between 1980-1986 and also won five World Masters titles during an outstanding career.
"Bristow was one of the founder players when the PDC (then World Darts Council) was formed in 1993 as the sport's leading stars broke away from the British Darts Organisation.
(Image: Daily Record)
"The 60-year-old was inducted into the PDC Hall of Fame in 2005 alongside great rival John Lowe, and since retiring from competition at the end of 2007 remained a popular figure on the exhibition circuit.
"Bristow also worked as a TV pundit and spotter for Sky Sports, was awarded the MBE for his services to sport in 1989 and appeared on ITV's "I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here" in 2012."
(Image: Getty)
(Image: Rex/ITV)
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
East Londoner Bristow was widely regaled as one of the sport's first bona-fide superstars, and after relocating to Staffordshire played a major role in the development of 16-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 legend in the world of darts and British sport. He was a tremendous player and a huge character and even after his retirement fans would travel for miles to meet him and see him play.
“Eric was never afraid of controversy, but he spoke as he found and was honest and straightforward which is what people admired about him. The PDC, and the sport of darts, will miss him.”
Bristow had worked for Sky Sports after stepping down from the oche, but lost his role after his comments on the sexual abuse scandal that has rocked football.
After a growing number of former players had made allegations of child sex abuse, Bristow took to social media to question why victims had not 'sorted out' abusers "when they got older and fitter".
He later apologised, describing himself as a "bull in a China shop" adding he "appreciated my wording was wrong and offended many people."
Two-time world champion Dennis Priestley wrote on Twitter: "Absolutely devastated to be told earlier that my good friend Eric Bristow has passed away.
"We shared some great times together and I'm so saddened that we won't get to share anymore. Rest in peace old friend."
