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| Darts commentator Sid Waddell's funeral held in Leeds | Darts commentator Sid Waddell's funeral held in Leeds |
| (1 day later) | |
| The funeral service for darts commentator Sid Waddell has taken 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, 72, had been battling bowel cancer for nearly a year when he died 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, at Pudsey Parish Church in Leeds, was attended by big sporting names including cricketer Andrew Flintoff and darts star Eric Bristow. | |
| The commentator would be "sadly missed", said Mr Flintoff. | 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. | 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' |
| 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. | 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. |
| "He was top of the tree. We are here to pay tribute to a colossus of his trade." | "He was top of the tree. We are here to pay tribute to a colossus of his trade." |
| 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. | 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. |
| No coffin was brought in as Mr Waddell was earlier cremated at a private service. | No coffin was brought in as Mr Waddell was earlier cremated at a private service. |
| In his eulogy, Mr Hearn talked about the commentator's "frenetic, Geordie frenzy" style. | In his eulogy, Mr Hearn talked about the commentator's "frenetic, Geordie frenzy" style. |
| "We wouldn't be where we are today without his service to the sport," said Mr Hearn. | "We wouldn't be where we are today without his service to the sport," said Mr Hearn. |
| "Painting those pictures, those Picassos, Sid took a pub game and made it a global phenomenon." | "Painting those pictures, those Picassos, Sid took a pub game and made it a global phenomenon." |
| 'Sadly missed' | 'Sadly missed' |
| In his tribute, Dan Waddell said his father was "more like a mate". | In his tribute, Dan Waddell said his father was "more like a mate". |
| "We could speak about sport. We could speak about books. We could speak about anything. | "We could speak about sport. We could speak about books. We could speak about anything. |
| "I'll miss those chats. I'll miss my mate." | "I'll miss those chats. I'll miss my mate." |
| Outside the church, former England cricketer 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. | "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." | "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. | A new trophy named in honour of Mr Waddell would be presented at the PDC World Championships, the organisation confirmed. |