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Pudsey funeral for 'voice of darts' Sid Waddell Darts commentator Sid Waddell's funeral held in Leeds
(about 3 hours later)
A funeral service for darts commentator Sid Waddell is taking place in West Yorkshire. The funeral service for darts commentator Sid Waddell has taken place in West Yorkshire.
Known as the "voice of darts", Mr Waddell had been battling against bowel cancer for nearly a year when he died aged 72, on 11 August. Known as the "voice of darts", Mr Waddell, 72, had been battling bowel cancer for nearly a year when he died on 11 August.
His funeral is being held at Pudsey Parish Church between Leeds and Bradford. His funeral, at Pudsey Parish Church in Leeds, was attended by big sporting names including cricketer Freddie Flintoff and darts star Eric Bristow.
Stars Freddie Flintoff and Eric Bristow are attending, along with Barry Hearn, of the Professional Darts Corporation. The commentator would be "sadly missed", said Mr Flintoff.
The son of a Northumberland miner, Mr Waddell was known for his colourful and excitable commentary style, over many years on the BBC and Sky.The son of a Northumberland miner, Mr Waddell was known for his colourful and excitable commentary style, over many years on the BBC and Sky.
Mr Waddell, a Cambridge graduate, was one of the most recognisable figures in the sport, famed for his one-liners delivered in his trademark north east accent.
'Colossus of trade''Colossus of trade'
He described the challenge of a player trying to defeat multiple world champion Phil Taylor as "like eating candy floss in a wind tunnel". Arriving for the funeral service, football commentator John Helm said: "If we'd had an Olympic games for commentators he would have won the gold medal so many times.
Football commentator John Helm said as he arrived: "If we'd had an Olympic games for commentators he would have won the gold medal so many times. "He was top of the tree. We are here to pay tribute to a colossus of his trade."
"He was top of the tree. The church was packed for the hour-long service which featured tributes from Barry Hearn of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and Mr Waddell's son Dan.
"We are here to pay tribute to a colossus of his trade. No coffin was brought in as Mr Waddell was earlier cremated at a private service.
"Every time I was with Sid he always made me laugh. In his eulogy, Mr Hearn talked about the commentator's "frenetic, Geordie frenzy" style.
"He was a man with so much eloquence he could stop the world with his commentaries." "We wouldn't be where we are today without his service to the sport," said Mr Hearn.
'Magic darts' "Painting those pictures, those Picassos, Sid took a pub game and made it a global phenomenon."
Mr Waddell was one of the most recognisable figures in the sport, famed for his excellent one-liners delivered in his trademark north east accent. 'Sadly missed'
Northumberland-born and a Cambridge graduate, he was a central part of Sky Sports' coverage of PDC darts events since 1994. In his tribute, Dan Waddell said his father was "more like a mate".
He was known for his commentary style, with his best-known lines including "There's only one word for it - 'magic darts'." "We could speak about sport. We could speak about books. We could speak about anything.
He also noted, while watching Bristow become world champion: "When Alexander of Macedonia was 33, he cried salt tears because there were no more worlds to conquer ... Bristow's only 27." "I'll miss those chats. I'll miss my mate."
Outside the church, cricketer Freddie Flintoff described the fun he had joining his friend in the TV commentary box.
"At home we'd spend hours watching him entertaining us on TV as well. He was a great man. He was just great to be around," said Mr Flintoff.
"There's not too many people who can make people smile instantly and spread happiness. He'll be sadly missed."
A new trophy named in honour of Mr Waddell would be presented at the PDC World Championships, the organisation confirmed.