Darts and sport as a whole lost a legend in the shape of Eric Bristow last night as the five time world champion tragically passed away following a heart attack. It happened during last night's Premier League of darts in Liverpool with Peter Wright breaking down after his match.
Bristow had been at the event at the Echo Arena earlier in the night but had left the arena and was reportedly walking back to his car when he collapsed from the heart attack, later dying in hospital.
News of his death started circulating with matches still to play and the PDC confirmed the news with Peter 'Snakebite' Wright and Daryl Gurney already on the stage for their match.
Advert
It had already been a night full of emotion for Wright as he potentially faced being knocked out of the tournament at the start but Mensur Suljovic's loss to Michael van Gerwen saved him before he took to the oche.
Wright and Gurney played out a 6-6 draw in extremely difficult circumstances with Gurney pointing to the sky with the match over and Wright unable to hold back the tears.
Advert
After the match Keith Deller, who beat Bristow in the final of 1983 World Championships, paid tribute on Sky saying, "I am devastated. Me and Eric were together all the time.
Advert
"What he has done for our game, I mean if it wasn't for Eric nobody 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."
Advert
An incredible moving and emotional night.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Darts, Darts News
