Darts is paying tribute to one of its favourite sons after the death of five-time world champion Eric Bristow at the age of 60.
Bristow suffered a heart attack after attending a corporate event in Liverpool ahead of Thursday’s Premier League fixture at the Echo Arena.
The Professional Darts Corporation announced his death midway through the night’s play - and the great and good of the sport were quick to pay their respects.
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”
"The word legend is often overused, but it's an understatement for Eric Bristow."
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 5, 2018
Barry Hearn reacts to the death of Eric Bristow.
???? https://t.co/KTmQDBuijF pic.twitter.com/yv3oGyfKZ0
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”
Phil Taylor paid his own tribute to Bristow on Twitter.
The 57-year-old, mentored by Taylor, said: “Words cannot express how sad and shocked I am to hear the terrible news about Eric’s passing a huge influence on my career and a larger than life character the world has lost a legend. RIP pal #16.”
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