"Phil Taylor, Eric Bristow and Michael van Gerwen" - Russ Bray picks his three best darters of all time

Russ Bray was present from the early years of the PDC as a referee at all major tournaments. The now 67-year-old Englishman put a stop to his full-time career after the last World Darts Championship, although he's not completely gone, as he is still active on the World Series of Darts and fulfills the role of PDC ambassador worldwide.

It is not that often that a referee becomes a true icon in the sport, but as far as Bray is concerned, that is effectively the case. The man with the husky voice and distinctive 180-shout was and still is extremely popular with a lot of darts followers. He is therefore well placed to pick his best three darters of all time.

"I'd have to start with Eric Bristow," Bray tells Emma Paton on the latest episode of Sky Sports Love The Darts Podcast. "He was untouchable in the 80s. A wonderful character and a very close friend as well."

"Phil Taylor obviously for what he's done for the game," Bray continues. "He brought the game up and helped get things to where they are now.

Finally, Bray also has a place for a Dutchman in his top three. "Then, it'd have to be MVG (Michael van Gerwen). Once Phil had sort of finished, MVG for two or three years was just completely untouchable."