WATCH: Darts legend Eric Bristow challenge punters at Betfred in Taunton

The five-time world champion Eric Bristow, nicknamed the Crafty Cockney, dropped in for a few games of arrows at the East Street branch of Betfred as part of the firm’s latest promotion.

(Eric Bristow at Betfred in Taunton. Pic by Aisling Magill)

It was a simple challenge for the plucky punters, all they had to do was match Bristowe’s score with three darts and if they did, they would win a £10 bet. But, the plucky losers were also given a £5 bet.

Speaking to the Gazette between challenges, Bristow said: “I love doing stuff like this, getting out all over the country speaking to people.

(Eric Bristow in Taunton)

“You’re just basically giving money away, and giving money to people is just a nice thing to do.

“Everyone’s chatty, everyone’s having a great time and everyone is basically getting free money.

“I’ve been to Taunton before and I really like the area, it’s really nice, and I like the whole of the south west in general.”

Bristow and his accompanying MC have been touring the country visiting Betfred branches, and after the whistle-stop visit to the county town, the duo were on their way to Newquay for their next stop.

Facing a former world champion can be a daunting test, but Bristow went easy on his challengers setting them modest scores to achieve, although he was still racking up the wins.

Ashley Ford, area manager for Betfred, said it was a pleasure to play host to Bristow.

He said: “It has been a little busier than normal on a wet and drab Friday afternoon, as people come in to play him.

“We have had a lot of planning going into this, and it’s one of the things the company wants to do, to give things away and for people to have fun.

“People are really enjoying it, having a good time and that’s what we want to do.”

(Paul Booth with Eric Bristow after taking on the challenge)

Mark Clark was one of the people who stepped up to the oche to take on Bristow. Unfortunately, he lost on both occasions but still bagged the £5 bet and said he was going to use it on a football game.

He said: “This is great, I don’t normally come in but I came down especially because he was here.

“You are playing the Crafty Cockney, it’s great.

“I was close to completing the challenge but on my last dart I missed a double 15.

“This is the type of thing that Taunton needs more of really, the town is only getting bigger and we need stuff like this to help keep everyone happy and to get more people in.”