Eric Bristow dead: Touching moment darts fans pay emotional tribute to former world champion

The crowd at the Liverpool Echo Arena where he collapsed burst into song

Darts fans have paid an emotional tribute to legendary former world champion Eric Bristow following his sudden death on Thursday night, aged 60.

The five-time champion suffered a heart attack while attending a darts event in Liverpool at the Echo Arena and his death was announced midway through the night’s play.

The crowd burst out into a rendition of “there’s only one Eric Bristow” with the darts legend’s picture emblazoned on the big screen.

The darts world also paid their respects to a man who changed the game forever when he was one of the founding members of the PDC following a split from the BDO.

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".

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".