Eric Bristow – The Life, Death and Legacy of a Darts Legend

Eric Bristow, the five-time world darts champion known as “The Crafty Cockney,” died on April 5, 2018, at the age of 60. He suffered a heart attack while attending the Premier League Darts event at the Echo Arena in Liverpool. His death stunned the sporting world and prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow players.

Bristow was born on April 25, 1957, in Hackney, East London, and rose from a working-class background to become the most dominant figure in professional darts during the 1980s. He won the BDO World Darts Championship five times and held the world number one ranking for seven consecutive years. His career earnings from tournaments alone reached £333,926, though his total net worth was likely much higher due to endorsements and media work.

Beyond the oche, Bristow remained a public figure as a Sky Sports pundit and commentator. He published his autobiography, The Crafty Cockney, in 2010, and was awarded an MBE in 1989 for services to the sport. His death at 60, caused by a heart attack, cut short a life that had already reshaped the game.

Eric Bristow age

Eric Bristow wife

Eric Bristow married Jane Higginbotham in 1989. The couple had two children together: a daughter named Louise and a son named James. After 16 years of marriage, they divorced in 2005. Jane Bristow has largely remained out of the public eye since the separation.

Eric Bristow partner

Following his divorce, Bristow entered a relationship with Becky Gadd. The two met in 2011, six years after the divorce, and lived together in Leek, Staffordshire. Becky was with Bristow until his death in 2018. She has not given public interviews about their life together, and the relationship remained private.

Eric Bristow son

Bristow’s son, James, is one of two children from his marriage to Jane. James has largely stayed away from the media spotlight. The darts champion also had a secret half-brother named Kevin, whose existence was not revealed until Kevin was 45 years old. This family detail came to light after Bristow’s death.

Eric Bristow cause of death

Eric Bristow died from a heart attack on April 5, 2018, at the Echo Arena in Liverpool. He was attending the Premier League Darts event as a spectator. The announcement of his death was made during the match between Peter Wright and Daryl Gurney. The BBC reported that the cause was a heart attack, and the news was met with immediate shock across the darts community.

Eric Bristow funeral

Specific details about Bristow’s funeral service, including the date and location, have not been widely reported. The service was likely private, as no public memorial was announced. Friends and admirers recalled that Bristow, who was 60 at the time of his death, would have preferred to “call it treble 20” – a darts reference to the number 60. Tributes poured in from players and officials, with many describing him as a “darts pioneer.”

Eric Bristow net worth

An exact figure for Eric Bristow’s net worth is not publicly available. Official data from dartsdatabase.co.uk records his career tournament earnings at £333,926. However, Bristow’s income from endorsements, television punditry, and his autobiography likely added significantly to his wealth. Media estimates often place his net worth in the range of several million pounds, but these figures are not confirmed by the family or official records.

Eric Bristow career timeline

1. 1957: Born in Hackney, London.
2. 1970s: Began professional darts career.
3. 1980: Won first World Championship (BDO).
4. 1981: Won second World Championship.
5. 1984–1986: Three consecutive world titles.
6. 1990s: Decline in form, but remained a top player.
7. 2000: Inducted into PDC Hall of Fame.
8. 2018: Died of a heart attack at age 60.

What is known and what remains unclear about Eric Bristow

What was Eric Bristow’s impact on darts?

Eric Bristow was a dominant figure in darts during the 1980s, rivaling Jocky Wilson and setting the standard for professional play. He later became a mentor to Phil Taylor: The Power’s Biography and Career, who surpassed his achievements. Bristow’s outspoken nature made him a polarizing personality, but his contributions to the sport’s popularity and professionalism are undeniable. His death at 60 was a reminder of the health risks faced by athletes, even after retirement. The lack of public information about his family highlights the private nature of his later life.

What do official sources say about Eric Bristow?

“Five-time world darts champion Eric Bristow has died at the age of 60 after suffering a heart attack.”

“Eric John Bristow (25 April 1957 – 5 April 2018) was an English professional darts player from Hackney.”

“Eric ‘The Crafty Cockney’ Bristow had died suddenly on Thursday 5th April 2018 came as a shock to all those who ever knew him.”

Eric Bristow’s legacy

Eric Bristow remains one of the most important figures in the history of darts. His five world titles, his role in bringing the sport to television, and his mentorship of History of the Darts World Championship players like Phil Taylor cemented his place in the game. While many details of his personal life remain private, his professional achievements are well documented. He was awarded an MBE in 1989 and inducted into the PDC Hall of Fame in 2005. His death at 60 was a loss felt across the sporting world.