Eric Bristow

Eric John Bristow – Life, Career, and Legacy

Explore the life of Eric Bristow (1957–2018), the legendary English darts player nicknamed “The Crafty Cockney.” Learn about his rise, achievements, controversies, and lasting impact on the sport.

Introduction

Eric Bristow (25 April 1957 – 5 April 2018) is widely considered one of the foundational legends of modern darts. Nicknamed “The Crafty Cockney,” his charisma, competitive spirit, and showmanship helped elevate darts from pub pastime to televised spectacle. Over his career, he won multiple world and major titles, mentored younger stars, and remained a prominent figure in darts even after his retirement.

Yet his life also included struggles—with form, health, controversies, and public scrutiny. His story is one of brilliance, fallibility, and enduring influence.

Early Life and Roots

Eric John Bristow was born on 25 April 1957 in Hackney, London, England.

He grew up in Stoke Newington (then part of Hackney) after his family relocated. 14.

His early exposure to darts likely came from playing in pubs, local halls, and informal settings. Over time, he developed both the skill and the personality that would distinguish him in the sport.

Darts Career & Achievements

Rise to Dominance

• Bristow turned professional in the mid-1970s and joined the BDO (British Darts Organisation).

• His first major success came in the World Masters, winning it multiple times (1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1984).

• He claimed his first BDO World Championship in 1980, defeating Bobby George, and repeated in 1981, 1984, 1985, and 1986—a total of five world titles.

• Between 1980 and 1991, Bristow reached ten BDO World Championship finals (winning five).

• He also won numerous other major tournaments: British Matchplay, News of the World, British Professional Championship, and many others, along with team titles.

During his peak years in the 1980s, he was often ranked World No. 1, dominating the sport in both performance and popularity.

“Dartitis” & Decline

In 1986, Bristow began suffering from “dartitis”, a psychological / motor phenomenon analogous to the “yips” in golf—difficulty in releasing the dart properly.

Although he sought to recover, his dominance waned in the 1990s. He became involved in the split between the BDO and what later became the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). Bristow was one of the founding members of the new circuit in the early 1990s.

Even after his competitive peak, he remained active in exhibition play and in tournament commentary / punditry for many years.

Legacy & Post-Playing Career

• After stepping back from professional competition around 2007, Bristow worked as a spotter, commentator, and pundit with Sky Sports covering darts.

• In 2016, he was dismissed from Sky Sports after making controversial tweets in relation to the UK football sexual abuse scandal.

• In 2018, the PDC renamed the Grand Slam of Darts trophy to the Eric Bristow Trophy in his honor, signifying the deep esteem his peers had for him.

Controversies & Personal Life

Personal Life

• Bristow’s first known long-term relationship was with female darts player Maureen Flowers (1978–1987).

• He married Jane Higginbotham in 1989. They had two children (a son and a daughter).

• The marriage ended in divorce in 2005.

• Later in life he had a partner, Rebecca Gadd, until his death.

Public & Media Controversies

• In 2005, Bristow was accused of assaulting his wife—but he was later cleared.

• In 2016, he made a series of tweets in relation to child sexual abuse allegations in soccer, in which he used harsh language (referring to victims as “wimps” etc.). Many criticized the remarks as insensitive. Bristow later apologized, admitting his wording was wrong.

These controversies affected his public standing and career in media toward the end of his life.

Death & Tributes

Eric Bristow died on 5 April 2018, at age 60, of a heart attack in Liverpool, England. He collapsed while attending a Premier League Darts event.

The news reverberated across the darts world and beyond. Many players, fans, and media figures paid tribute to him as one of the sport’s first superstars.

His influence was cemented: the Grand Slam’s trophy bore his name, and his legacy remains integral to how modern darts grew into a televised spectacle.

Legacy & Influence

• Bristow’s showmanship, confidence, and trash talk helped popularize darts for television audiences.

• He mentored Phil Taylor, one of the greatest darts players in history, even sponsoring his early development.

• His success laid the foundation for future generations of professional players, contributing to darts evolving into a global sport.

• His life is studied not just for victories but also for the human complexities behind a champion’s image: fame, decline, mistakes, and redemption.

Lessons from Eric Bristow’s Life

1. Talent + persona = legacy
   Bristow showed that in sports, skill alone may not create lasting fame—personality, showmanship, and narrative matter.

2. Manage decline and adversity
   His struggles with dartitis and waning form highlight that even the greatest face challenges; adaptation and resilience matter.

3. Mentorship enriches legacy
   By helping Phil Taylor rise, Bristow ensured his influence extended beyond his own achievements.

4. Success can’t immunize from error
   Public missteps and controversies show that consistent respect and responsibility remain essential.

5. End with meaning
   His life’s arc—rise, fall, continued presence—inspired many and left a tangible mark (trophies, awards, memories) in the sport he loved.