Three times World Champion in three separate decades, the first player to throw the perfect game of 501 in 9 darts on TV. Awarded an M.B.E. by the Queen 2019.
I didn’t want to share this message, Eric has passed away, my rival, my friend, my drinking Pal, lost a part of my life tonight. Thanks for being Eric. Goodbye my good friend.
My favourite photograph of Eric and myself, we spent the whole day sightseeing Tenerife, this was below the Volcano Teide, we spent thousands of hours on the Oche around the World, especially playing for England, but this was quality time off the Oche.
Today we lost one of the sport of darts finest characters, a genuine person, world champion, a true friend of everyone, Andy Fordham, so sad to lose you, thanks for being a friend.
I was going to say no to the world seniors championship, then I thought, don’t be selfish, walk on that stage, give it your best, represent everyone that has supported me for donkeys years, Unicorn who have stood by me for almost half a century, who can have a better swan song.
They came many miles, Players, Organisors, Manufactures, Friends and Family, to pay respect to Eric Bristow MBE, he would have been very proud, now he can rest in peace. Goodbye my friend.
Thank you everyone, my friends, my sponsors, my family, I absolutely enjoyed my journey, the response was emotional, I thank you, we are still champions.
Played golf with the Snooker guys a couple of weeks ago, Cliff asked me for this photograph, the first 147 and the first 9 dart game on TV, Thorburn and Lowe.
When you reach the age of 76 and get an invite to play in a major TV event, I can only say thanks, I will be the same person, player, just a little older, thank you.
I have been missing from twitter recently, I had a quite bad accident, fell off a ladder, bad cuts to my head and damaged ribs and shoulders, expected to be fine in a few weeks, almost 5 week later still no darts or golf, thank you for your many best wishes.
A blast from the past, the great Joey Dunlop, King of the Isle of Man TT, and a decent arrow thrower, we had a lot to talk about, bikes, darts, and Guinness.
I am overwhelmed at the number of people who I don't know, stopping me in the street, the supermarket, etc, and saying sorry for the loss of Eric, they had never met him, but watched our battles on TV for many years, respect at the highest level.
I remember playing Eric at Lakeside, the final, he said enjoy it, and lose well, we shook hands, an hour and half later, I said, I enjoyed that, you are a good loser, off we went to the Bar.
One thing is for sure, the biggest darts event in modern times is almost here, champions from decades, I am more than fascinated, will they play well, who will surprise, I am nervous, not apprehensive, it will be a celebration of champions, cheers.
Here I go, Glen Durrant having to go to Q School ! It’s only a few years ago when the PDC invited BDO winners to swap allegiance, Glen wins the Championship 3 Succesive times, And he has to prove himself, respect a great champion.
The Ton Machine, Alan Glazier, the best left hander of his generation, sadly died today, one of life’s good guys, a great player and friend, Alan won the North American Open in 1977, a true Champion. Thanks for the many happy times my friend.
Two years have gone like a flash, what Eric would have made of this lockdown, the Guinness would have flown off the shelves, Diliveroo would have a car laid on for the Indian, always in our thoughts Brissie.
ITV4 last night, my 9 dart game shown again, the more I watch it, the more I realise how accurate those 9 darts hit their area, wires like road barriers, staples like table legs, they had to be perfect to stay in the board. Not luck, 19 years of practise.
The M.B.E. award, is becoming a real enjoyment, the realisation that so many people are also delighted is overwhelming, it’s not just an honour for me, I have never shook so many hands, genuine heartfelt congratulations, thank you.
I have been quite on Twitter recently, The break in has been disturbing for me and Karen, coming to terms with it and what it means, sadly the world we live in, upgraded security immensely, now trying to live a normal life with respect for others, difficult.
The first World Seniors Darts Championship will be held in early 2022, many World Champions will take part, including 16 times winner, Phil Taylor, it is 29 years since I won my last World Championship, I thought it only right to compete and enjoy this milestone in our sport.
Two years have flown by, what would Eric have made of this lockdown, the Guinness would have flown off the shelves, Deliveroo would have a car on standby for the Indian, never forgotten. I can just hear him now, what’s the magic word ? PLEASE, Stay at Home.
I have met some people in my time, once walked into a Spike Bar and George Best was in, I said "Hi George, he said the same, it was as though we had know each other forever, same thing happened yesterday when I met Johnny Vegas, it was like long lost friends meeting up, superb.
No, it’s not a jigsaw, if it was it would be 5000 pieces, this is the people with rights, the right to make sure our, their, NHS stay very busy, Irresponsible is probably the wrong word, this was premeditated, mansluaghter fits the action better.
A great final, both players, huge respect to both Luke’s, you did our sport proud in such a sporting match, the darts did the talking for sure, thank you.
Back to Ally Pally for the dart tonight, and for the guy who said I never played there, wrong, I played in the finals of the News of the World with 7,000 spectators present, that's double what it now holds, lost in the semi, went on to win it at Wembley Arena the year after.
My good friend Mike Watterson passed away Friday night, without Mike's contribution Darts would not be where it is today, he was the founder of the Embassy World Darts Championship, R.I.P. my friend.
When Paul bought a set of my new darts for his son Will, it was a pleasure to be able to deliver personally, they only live 5 mins away, Will is 16, and joined a darts team in Chesterfield, Lennon's, I trust his new John Lowe golden Phase 2, will assist him achieve his ambition.
Every snooker fan rooted for Willie Thorne whenever he played - whether it was at the Crucible or on Big Break. Here's the legend winning a contestant £540 - a Pocket Money record - in sensational fashion. RIP.
The world of sport lost one of their finest today, commentator John Gwynne, my friend for many years, a true Legend, my condolences to Andrew and family, thank you John for letting me be a part of your life.
Great news at the Lowe’s,, my daughter who was swindled/conned out of all her savings a few months ago, received word from her bank, they are returning all the money plus interest and stress related payment, they have admitted liability, lesson, never give up.
Just thinking, a game of darts for £500,000, I remember well many interviews when players said they played for trophy’s, I always said I played for money, I was criticised by many, wonder if the Trophy is paramount tonight. Best wishes to both players. Both class.
Gary Anderson made a statement at Ally Pally last night, and he did it with his darts, almost a nonchalant display, a player to beat in this execution of dart playing ability.
Watching the masters PDC, MVG lucky, or maybe Luke just didn’t have the bottle to wrap it up, my turn next week, don’t expect any jumping, fist pumping, I will be busy negotiating the Oche !
I don’t mind someone, anyone blocking me on twitter, this is a media of expression, if you take it personal, I can only think it is self doubt, If you take criticism as a personal dislike, then you will dislike many people, I read many dislikes toward myself, I accept.
34 years ago today, I achieved the first Televised perfect game of 501 in 9 dart, the darts I used are on the left, 34 years later and the John Lowe Phase 2 is designed, tested, and available, change was a long time coming, worth the wait.
I remember when I did that very first 9 dart game on TV in 1984, Dickie Davies was the first to call me from ITV, look to your right John, he said, there was a bottle of Champagne and one glass, cheers from me and all at ITV, goodbye my friend Dickie a true Legend of Sport.
It should be time to reflect, think, not Eric Bristow trophy, Eric Bristow Championship, with the Sponsor firmly headlined. I.E. The Eric Bristow Toyota Classic. Eric is bigger than the name of a trophy.
Jim Bowen without doubt the Star of Bullseye, has died, I did the 2 Pilot shows, never shown, and was the winner of the very first Bronze Bully, Jim was hilarious throughout, and continued for many years, a great comedian in his own right, a pleasure to have known him. R.I.P. Jim
That’s how to entertain ! Price deserved to win, and he did it with a lot of respect, Anderson never gave up. I was living every moment, as they say been there, done that, lost and won. Thanks PDC and all the players.
Eric loved to play Golf, and held his own tournament for the Tenerife Lions Club, the 2018 event will be played on the 20th April, and will be a tribute to Eric, the Presentation will be at the Shambles, Los Cris, This is Eric presenting last years Winners Trophy to myself.
A good final, in the end Wright produced legs of outstanding quality to claim the title, thanks to both players for a great final, and more so for your sporting conduct, makes me proud of the sport I love.
After years of saying it, it finally happens, a lady matches and beats the men, and I must say stole the show at Ally Pally, a massive well done to Fallon, to beat Mensur was very special, you should be very proud for yourself and all the aspiring lady players world wide.
Many thanks for all the kind words about my 9 dart game from around the World, a part of history for the sport of darts was made that day, I was the one fortunate to achieve it, I will tell you this, the first person to buy me a drink and say well done, was Eric Bristow MBE.
@SWhitlock180
@OfficialPDC
@unibet
Simon, Admire your response to a very strange reaction from the PDC, I honestly believe if the PDC wanted to keep the credibility of the PL intact, they should have made sure reputable players who have earned qualification take part.