THE darts world is in mourning after the demise of Eric Bristow on the age of 60.
The Artful Cockney, a five-time world champion, died following a heart attack at a darts occasion in Liverpool on Thursday night time.
He starred on ITV actuality present I'm a Movie star… Get Me Out Of Right here! in 2012 and labored as a pundit for Sky Sports activities.
Ex-world darts champ Keith Deller led the tributes to Bristow, whom he referred to as “an icon of British sport”.
Deller, fifty eight, who famously beat his shut pal in the 1983 world darts ultimate, stated: “I’m devastated.
“Eric was certainly one of my greatest associates. I’ll sadly miss him.
“Gamers concerned in the sport should thank Eric as a result of if it wasn’t for him they wouldn’t be right here now.
“Within the fortieth yr of the Monarchy, 4 world champions of sport had a private assembly with the Queen.
“There was Frank Bruno, Nick Faldo, Nigel Mansell, and Eric Bristow.
“That’s how massive a reputation he was, each for darts and British sport.”
The gang in Liverpool for the Premier League burst right into a refrain of “there just one Eric Bristow” because the news emerged.
Eric leaves behind two youngsters, Louise and James Bristow, who he shared together with his former spouse Jane.
The couple had been married for sixteen years.
Son James had beforehand flown out to Australia to satisfy his father after Eric's stint on I'm a Movie star.
Eric's most up-to-date associate was Becky Gadd, who he met in 2011.
Skilled Darts Company (PDC) chairman Barry Hearn paid tribute, saying: “Eric will all the time be a legend in the world of darts and British sport.
"He was an incredible participant and an enormous character and even after his retirement followers would journey for miles to satisfy him and see him play.
“Eric was by no means afraid of controversy, however he spoke as he discovered and was trustworthy and easy which is what individuals admired about him.
“The PDC, and the game of darts, will miss him.”
Peter Wright was on stage final night time, laying towards Daryl Gurney, when the devastating news was shared.
Wright broke down in tears, with Gurney pointing to the heavens in tribute to Bristow.
Followers additionally started to chant Bristow's identify in tribute to the darts legend, with placards studying "Eric Bristow Legend" held up.
Social media was additionally awash with tributes, with former participant Wayne Mardle saying that Bristow was the rationale he began to play the sport in the primary place.
He stated: "I might by no means have picked up a dart with out Eric Bristow.
"Eric will go down like an absolute celebrity of sport. From all walks of life, individuals know who Eric Bristow was.
"He had that star high quality. Not many individuals had that. They will exhibit and assume that they had it, however Eric had it."
A touching tribute from darts followers as they sing 'There's just one Eric Bristow' on night time of his demise
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Eric Bristow's jungle highlights from I'm A Movie star… Get Me Out Of Right here!
Former heavyweight boxer Frank Bruno tweeted: “Very saddened to listen to the news that Eric Bristow has handed away today, god relaxation his soul.”
Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld, additionally a five-time world darts champion, stated: “I’m misplaced for phrases and actually devastated!
“He was darts, he meant a lot to me, can’t consider it! My ideas exit to his spouse and household.”
The present darts world No.1 Michael Van Gerwen tweeted: “A real legend in the sport! #RIPEric #legend.”
He added: "Simply heard the newest horrible news that Eric Bristow has handed away.
"My thought are together with his household at this unhappy time. True legend in the sport!"
Born in East London in 1957, Bristow shortly made a reputation for himself as a participant and mentor.
Bristow was the game’s first celebrity participant, profitable the world championship 5 occasions between 1980 and 1986.
Legendary commentator Sid Waddell famously stated after his 1984 triumph: "When Alexander of Macedonia was 33, he cried salt tears as a result of there have been no extra worlds to overcome… [Eric] Bristow's solely 27."
Eric Bristow takes on Scottish Solar woman blindfolded
He was finally awarded an MBE for his providers to sport in 1989.
Bristow was one of many founder gamers when the PDC (then World Darts Council) was shaped in 1993 as the game's main stars broke away from the British Darts Organisation.
The London-born participant, who struggled for type after battling dartitis in the latter years of his profession, mentored and sponsored Phil Taylor, who went on to win a document sixteen world titles.
He was inducted into the PDC Corridor of Fame in 2005 alongside his nice rival John Lowe, and after retiring from competitors on the finish of 2007 remained a well-liked determine on the exhibition circuit.
Bristow additionally labored as a TV pundit and spotter for Sky Sports activities till he was sacked for controversial feedback on social media about baby abuse victims.
