FIVE-TIME DARTS WORLD CHAMPION ERIC BRISTOW PASSES AWAY AT SIXTY

THURSDAY One of darts' legends and iconic voices, Eric Bristow, dead at sixty following a heart attack. The Crafty Cockney dominated the BDO world champion in the 1980s, winning it five times.
Bristow was reportedly at a promotional event at the Echo Arena in Liverpool
, drinking and darting with some corporate VIP guests before collapsing at the car park while walking to his car.

His agent confirmed the sad news to The Daily Mirror saying:

"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."

He won over 70 professional titles and competed in 23 world championships. He was inducted into the Professional Darts Corporation hall of fame in 2005 and awarded an MBE for services to sport in 1989.

The Professional Darts Corporation released an official statement that reads:

"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."

PDC Chairman Barry Hearn led the tributes to Bristow following the news 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."

Such sad news about Eric Bristow RIP

— Dave Chisnall (@ChizzyChisnall) April 5, 2018

A touching tribute from the Liverpool crowd as news of five-time World Champion Eric Bristow MBE passing away, reaches darts fans around the World pic.twitter.com/UxVXZCMg9S

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) April 5, 2018