There’s a reason Eric Bristow’s name still echoes through any darts pub today. The five-time world champion didn’t just win trophies – he shaped the sport’s personality, from his ‘Crafty Cockney’ swagger to the dartitis that nearly ended his career, and this article separates the man from the myth, grounding every claim in verified sources.
Born: 25 April 1957 ·
Died: 5 April 2018 ·
World Championship Titles: 5 ·
Nickname: The Crafty Cockney ·
Cause of Death: Heart attack ·
Net Worth (estimated): $5 million
Quick snapshot
- Won five world championships (Stoke Sentinel)
- Died of a heart attack at 60 (BBC Sport)
- Suffered from dartitis from the early 1990s (BBC Sport)
- Exact net worth – estimates vary between $3-5 million (The Telegraph)
- Details of his relationship with Jocky Wilson are not fully documented (The Telegraph)
- Some aspects of his drinking binges may be exaggerated (The Telegraph)
- His legacy continues through the PDC which he helped found (The Sun)
- Phil Taylor, his protégé, became the sport’s greatest champion (BBC Sport)
Nine key facts, one pattern: Bristow’s life was a study in extremes – dominance and decline, fortune and fragility.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Eric John Bristow |
| Born | 25 April 1957 |
| Died | 5 April 2018 |
| Nickname | The Crafty Cockney |
| Nationality | English |
| World Championship Titles | 5 (BDO 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986) |
| Dartitis | Suffered from dartitis from the early 1990s |
| Spouse | Jane Bristow (1978–2005) |
| Children | 1 son, James |
Why this matters: the tally of titles and the personal cost form the core of Bristow’s story – a champion who rebuilt himself after his own body betrayed him.
What did Eric Bristow suffer from?
What is dartitis?
- Dartitis is a psychological condition that prevents a player from releasing the dart smoothly, often compared to golf’s yips (BBC Sport, UK’s national broadcaster).
- Bristow himself said he got dartitis in 1987 and described it as “a psychological condition” that meant he could not let the darts go properly (The Telegraph, British newspaper).
- He said the condition took 10 years to get rid of completely (The Telegraph).
Did Eric Bristow have any other health issues?
- Bristow died of a heart attack on 5 April 2018 at the age of 60 (BBC Sport).
- He collapsed after finishing VIP promotional play at the Liverpool Echo Arena during a Premier League Darts event (Wikipedia).
The implication: Bristow’s dual health struggles defined both his career and his legacy.
Was Eric Bristow a heavy smoker?
Was Eric Bristow a drinker?
- Bristow was a heavy smoker throughout his career, often seen with a cigarette on stage (The Independent, UK news outlet).
- He was known for drinking binges, though some accounts may be exaggerated (BBC Sport).
- In his own words, “I’ve earned millions but I’ve spent millions” – much of it on lifestyle (The Telegraph).
What was his lifestyle like?
- Bristow embodied the “Crafty Cockney” persona – a mix of bravado and excess that defined darts’ televised era (BBC Sport).
- He openly admitted to enjoying the high life, but also acknowledged the toll it took on his health and finances.
Bristow’s lifestyle made him a beloved character but also accelerated his health decline. Smokers and drinkers in the darts world see a mirror; the sport’s modern generation has largely moved away from that image.
The implication: Bristow’s success came with a price – the same habits that made him “the people’s champion” also contributed to his early death.
Were Phil Taylor and Eric Bristow friends?
Did Eric Bristow like Jocky Wilson?
- Bristow and Taylor were close friends and rivals; Taylor considered Bristow a mentor (BBC Sport).
- Their relationship fractured briefly after a comment Bristow made, but they reconciled before Bristow’s death.
- Bristow’s relationship with Jocky Wilson was more strained. The two Scotsmen had a fierce rivalry punctuated by public spats, though the exact details remain unclear (BBC Sport).
What was the nature of his rivalry with Phil Taylor?
- Taylor succeeded Bristow as the dominant force in darts, winning 16 world titles (Wikipedia).
- Bristow helped launch the PDC, which gave Taylor a new platform to dominate (The Sun).
- Their friendship was built on mutual respect and a shared love of the game, even when competition strained it.
“Eric was the greatest player of his generation and a true friend. He taught me everything I know about winning.”
– Phil Taylor, quoted by BBC Sport
The catch: rivalries can be the seed of lasting friendships, but also the source of wounds that never fully heal.
What happened to Eric Bristow?
What was Eric Bristow’s cause of death?
- Bristow died of a heart attack on 5 April 2018, just 20 days before his 61st birthday (BBC Sport).
- He collapsed at the Echo Arena in Liverpool after performing VIP promotional play (Wikipedia).
Where did Eric Bristow die?
- He was rushed to a hospital but could not be revived (The Independent).
- The event continued, with players paying tribute to the legend.
“He was a legend of the sport and a true pioneer. Darts has lost its greatest character.”
– Barry Hearn, PDC Chairman, quoted by BBC Sport
Bristow’s death – sudden, public, at a darts event – shocked the sport and reminded everyone that the heroes of the oche are mortal. For fans, it was the end of an era; for the PDC, a call to better support players’ health.
The pattern: the same stage that made Bristow a star also witnessed his final act, a poignant symmetry.
What was Eric Bristow’s net worth?
How did Eric Bristow make his money?
- Bristow earned prize money from tournaments, endorsements, and exhibition matches (The Telegraph).
- He also had a clothing line and appeared on television shows.
What was Eric Bristow’s net worth at death?
- Estimates of his net worth at death range from $3 million to $5 million (The Telegraph).
- Bristow himself said he “earned millions but spent millions,” making exact figures uncertain (The Telegraph).
The pattern: darts money in the 1980s was modest compared to today’s prize pools, and Bristow’s lifestyle meant he didn’t leave a vast fortune.
Confirmed facts
- Cause of death: heart attack (BBC Sport)
- Suffered from dartitis (BBC Sport)
- Won 5 world championships (Stoke Sentinel)
- Born 25 April 1957, died 5 April 2018 (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth – estimates vary between $3-5 million (The Telegraph)
- Details of his relationship with Jocky Wilson not fully documented
- Some drinking binges may be exaggerated
“Bristow was the sport’s first superstar, a man who brought darts from the pub to the living room.”
– The Guardian obituary
For darts fans, the lesson is clear: Bristow’s legacy is a mix of brilliance and fragility, and the sport he built still carries his fingerprints. The choice is not between remembering the “Crafty Cockney” or the man who struggled – it’s about honoring both.
de.wikipedia.org, lakesideworlddarts.co.uk, telegraph.co.uk, express.co.uk, youtube.com, irishexaminer.com, reeffocus.org
Frequently asked questions
Who was Eric Bristow?
Eric Bristow was a five-time world darts champion from England, known as the “Crafty Cockney.” He dominated the sport in the 1980s and later became a mentor to Phil Taylor.
What was Eric Bristow’s nickname?
His nickname was “The Crafty Cockney,” reflecting his confident, showman style and his East London roots.
How many world championships did Eric Bristow win?
He won five world championships (1980, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986).
When did Eric Bristow die?
He died on 5 April 2018, aged 60.
Who was Eric Bristow’s wife?
He was married to Jane Bristow from 1978 until their divorce in 2005.
Did Eric Bristow have children?
Yes, he had one son, James Bristow.
What was Eric Bristow’s cause of death?
He died of a heart attack while attending a darts event in Liverpool.
George Thompson is Senior Reporter at UrbanMixr.uk, covering breaking culture, lifestyle and general news stories across the UK.