Darts legend Eric Bristow has died at the age of 60 following a heart attack.

The five-time world champion was one of the sport's first superstar players and enjoyed a fruitful and glittering career at the top of the game.

Bristow was crowned as the world's best on five occasions in a six-year period between 1980 and 1986, and also won five World Masters titles.

The East Londoner, who was ranked at number one by the World Darts Federation six times, was a founder player when the Professional Darts Corporation was formed in 1993.

The news of Bristow's death was announced by the PDC on Thursday evening.

A statement read: "The Professional Darts Corporation is deeply saddened to announce that five-time World Champion Eric Bristow MBE passed away on Thursday evening following a heart attack.

"Arguably the sport's first superstar player, Bristow, 60, was World Champion five times between 1980-1986 and also won five World Masters titles during an outstanding career."

PDC chairman Barry Hearn said: "Eric will always be a legend in the world of darts and British sport.

"He was a tremendous player and a huge character and even after his retirement fans would travel for miles to meet him and see him play.

"Eric was never afraid of controversy, but he spoke as he found and was honest and straightforward which is what people admired about him. The PDC, and the sport of darts, will miss him."

Bristow was inducted into the PDC Hall of Fame in 2005 before retiring in 2007.