Sporting legend’s boozy last hours

ERIC Bristow spent his final hours on the lash watching darts and chatting to fans before he died of a heart attack aged 60.

The Crafty Cockney collapsed and could not be revived at the Liverpool Echo Arena where he was due to see a Premier League Darts event.

Yesterday the world of darts and sport paid tribute to a true great of the game.

But according to the man himself, his death was exactly how he wanted to go.

The arrows legend previously revealed he had no interest in living to a “ripe old age”.

He said: “I want to live healthy mate, so once my body starts going I’ll pop off then.” Eric, who got into trouble in recent years for speaking his mind, revealed he wanted fans to remember him as a player who only told the truth. He said: “I don’t lie. I call a spade a spade, don’t stand no s***.” The five-time World Champion posed with several fans just hours before he died on Thursday, including Hayley John. One said he had spoken about going for a curry. Darts ace Peter Wright had to be consoled by Daryl Gurney after they heard the news about Eric’s death at the event. Leading the tributes, Eric’s darts pal Bobby George said: “I always said he used to drink too much. He smoked terrible and lived on curries.”

Former protege and 16-time world champion Phil “The Power” Taylor, who retired earlier this year, wrote: “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.”

Michael van Gerwen wrote: “Just heard the latest horrible news that Eric Bristow has passed away.” Ex-snooker ace Stephen Hendry said: “What a terrible week. RIP Ray Wilkins & Eric Bristow X.”

Eric picked up legions of new fans in 2012 when he appeared on I’m A Celeb with the likes of David Haye and Ashley Roberts.

Yesterday many shared a clip from the series showing Ant and Dec mimicking his Cockney accent in the Australian jungle.

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