DARTS legend Eric Bristow made it a Valentine’s Day to remember for punters at a North-East betting shop.

The 55-year-old ‘Crafty Cockney’ played hundreds of legs of darts with customers at bookmakers Betfred, in Tubwell Row, Darlington.

Five times a world champion, Bristow finished fourth in last year’s series of I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here, winning new fans for his no-nonsense approach to jungle life.

Taking on a Northern Echo reporter over nine darts, Bristow comfortably prevailed, despite the journalist’s protestations that it was a close-run contest.

Asked whether he was enjoying his visit to the North-East, Bristow said: “They like their darts up here.

“I like it here, I used to play in Middlesbrough years ago and at the old Fiesta Club, in Stockton.”

Betfred area manager Paul Sanders said he was pleased with the turn-out at the promotional event.

  • Eric Bristow's visit to Betfred lasts until 2pm today.