Eric Bristow was awarded an MBE for his services to sport in 1989
Five-time world darts champion Eric Bristow has died at the age of 60 after suffering a heart attack.
Professional Darts Corporation chairman Barry Hearn told BBC Sport he collapsed at a Premier League event in Liverpool.
As news of his death reached the crowd at the Echo Arena, fans repeatedly sang: 'There's only one Eric Bristow.'
Hearn said Bristow, known by his nickname the Crafty Cockney, would "always be a legend in the world of darts and British sport".
World champion five times between 1980 and 1986, Bristow also won five World Masters titles and was a founder player when the PDC was formed in 1993. He was awarded an MBE for his services to sport in 1989.
He also worked as a TV pundit and appeared on ITV show I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here in 2012.
Archive: Bristow wins first BDO World Championship in 1980
In November, he lost his role with Sky after suggesting sexual abuse victims were not "proper men".
After more than 20 former footballers made allegations of child sex abuse, Bristow asked on social media why victims did not "sort out" their abusers "when they got older and fitter".
Ha later apologised for his comments, describing himself as a "bull in a China shop" and said he "appreciated my wording was wrong and offended many people".
"Eric was never afraid of controversy, but he spoke as he found and was honest and straightforward, which is what people admired about him," Hearn added.
"The PDC, and the sport of darts, will miss him."
'Tears for a legend backstage'
Bristow competed at a world championship for the final time in 2000 - his 23rd in a career during which he won over 70 professional titles.
He was inducted into the PDC Hall of Fame in 2005 and retired from competing at the end of 2007.
PDC chief executive Matthew Porter posted on social media that he had been with Bristow at Thursday's event in Liverpool before Bristow collapsed.
He wrote: "Awful evening here in Liverpool. Was with Eric earlier and he was in great spirits. A massive character. There are tears for a legend backstage here tonight."
Keith Deller, who beat Bristow to win the 1983 title, said on stage at the Echo Arena on Thursday: "I'm devastated, me and Eric were together all the time.
"What he's done for our game, tonight, if it wasn't for Eric, no one would be here tonight."
source:www.bbc.com
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