Eric Bristow dead: Touching moment darts fans pay emotional tribute to former world champion
The crowd at the Liverpool Echo Arena where he collapsed burst into song
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Darts fans have paid an emotional tribute to legendary former world champion Eric Bristow following his sudden death on Thursday night, aged 60.
The five-time champion suffered a heart attack while attending a darts event in Liverpool at the Echo Arena and his death was announced midway through the night’s play.
The crowd burst out into a rendition of “there’s only one Eric Bristow” with the darts legend’s picture emblazoned on the big screen.
The darts world also paid their respects to a man who changed the game forever when he was one of the founding members of the PDC following a split from the BDO.
Keith Deller, who beat Bristow in the 1983 BDO World Championship final - one of the tournament's biggest shocks, worked with Bristow closely at Sky Sports and said: "I am devastated. Me and Eric were together all the time."
Two-time world champion Michael van Gerwen tweeted: "Just heard the latest horrible news that Eric Bristow has passed away. My thought are with his family at this sad time. True legend in the game! #RIPEric #legend".
Fellow Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld wrote on Twitter: "He was darts he meant so much to me, cannot believe it !! My thoughts go out to his wife and family."
Andy Fordham, BDO world champion in 2004, tweeted: "Can't believe my hero has gone my thoughts are with his family R.I.P Eric".
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