Eric Bristow dies aged 60 following heart attack

Bristow was present at a promotional event in Liverpool ahead of the Premier League event at the Echo Arena where he spent time playing darts with the corporate VIP guests and enjoyed drinks before falling as he was walking towards his vehicle to depart.

"We asked why he was up here and he said he was up in Liverpool to watch the darts at the arena and asked us if we were going".

Five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld added: "I am lost for words and really devastated!"

"What he's done for our game, tonight, if it wasn't for Eric, no one would be here tonight".

In his personal life, Bristow married his wife Jane in 1989 and had two children with her - Louise in 1991 and James in 1993. "I'm just glad I didn't get it 15 years earlier".

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.

"But I remained positive and, thankfully, got over it". I'll miss him." MP Nadine Dorries told her followers: "I am so utterly shocked and saddened that my jungle buddie @ericbristow has died so suddenly this evening.

His friendship with Phil Taylor saw him mentor the "The Power" to become the greatest player of all time while he eventually moved into broadcasting with Sky Sports, combining commentary duties with working as a spotter, plotting checkouts for the players. The 60-year-old darts champ, known as the Crafty Cockney, was popular with both his campmates and viewers during the 2012 series of I'm a Celebrity...

He later apologised for his comments, describing himself as a "bull in a China shop" and said he "appreciated my wording was wrong and offended many people".

Keith Deller beat Bristow in the 1983 BDO World Championship final in what was one of the tournament's biggest shocks.

"Eric was a person who said what he thought and wouldn't talk behind your back".

"If we were out, he would say "text me when you get home". I can always earn a wage and am still involved in darts'. It made me feel ill, I couldn't even sleep last night thinking about it.

Immediately after the news broke, fans at the Echo Arena burst into a rendition of "There's only one Eric Bristow" as commentator Rod Studd stopped speaking.

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