Keith Deller pays moving tribute to ‘great pal’ Bristow

A touching tribute for a darts legend.

Former darts champion Keith Deller has paid his respects to his friend and old rival Eric Bristow who passed away on Thursday night after a heart attack. The five time world champion's death was announced during Thursday's PDC Premier League event at the Echo Arena, which was understandably shaken by the news. Deller and Bristow worked together for years with Sky Sports and the Ipswich native told presenter Dave Clark of his devastation at the news.

“I am devastated. Me and Eric were together all the time. “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."

https://twitter.com/OfficialPDC/status/982186777459900417 Eric Bristow was the most popular player in the 1980's during the boom stage of the flight throwing sport. Known as the "Crafty Cockney," Bristow was one of the game's most successful stars. In 1982, however, Deller defeated the darts pioneer to win his only BDO World Darts Championship. He went on to tell the audience of how much that meant to him, given Bristow's stature in the game.

“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.”

https://twitter.com/KDeller138/status/982031319340339200 Soon after his interview Deller posted a moving tribute on Twitter and told fans how much he will cherish the memories of their 30 year friendship. This was also followed tributes from other darts personalities from the game of darts. https://twitter.com/PhilTaylor/status/982158201251545088 https://twitter.com/BarryHearn/status/981997685195595778 https://twitter.com/SWhitlock180/status/982002596247465984 https://twitter.com/Raybar180/status/981999482349989888