"We had a pact that whoever died first, the other wouldn’t wear black to the funeral" - Russ Bray relives promise made to Bristow while explaining how he became a PDC referee

Russ Bray has had a memorable time as a PDC ref. Now utilising his iconic voice on events away from the PDC, he reminisced on some of his most unforgettable stories from when he almost got in a fight with another darts player, his promise to Eric Bristow and the greatest match he ever called.

Ahead of commenting on all of that, Bray first explained how he became a PDC referee on talkSPORT's 20 Questions Around The Clock.

Before Bray became the well-known referee many remember him for now, he was an avid darts player. "I played darts — county darts — for Hertfordshire," Bray began. "One day the county caller didn’t turn up for a match. The setup was exactly the same as on stage: two markers and a referee. I said I’d help out before I played and call a couple of games just to keep things running. I went on, called a couple of games, and someone said, 'Mate, that sounded all right.' I really enjoyed it — it was so different from playing."

He continued to mark games in his pub league, playing for the A team while covering the B team. "That was around 1992. Then the darts split happened with the PDC and BDO in 1994," Bray noted. "About 18 months into the PDC, I was asked if I’d be interested in being a reserve referee. At the time, Brendan had two established referees — Freddie Williams and Bruce Finlay. I said yes, but the problem was I was banned from everything because I’d gone with the WDC, as it was then. I couldn’t even play in my local league."

Before he knew it, he was calling matches with legends featuring. "In 1996 I went to Blackpool and called the first two games on the Sunday night. They weren’t shown live back then. The first game had John Lowe, the second had Paul Lim — the only two players who’d hit nine-darters on TV at that point. I was as nervous as you could be."

After that, the rest is history. "I came off stage and Tommy Cox, one of the PDC founders, said, 'Mate, we’re not having a reserve referee. We’re having three referees. Welcome to the PDC.' My next match was at the 1996–97 World Championship," he said.

Referees are always on the edge of drama in any sport, whether they trying to prevent trouble of on the end of a earful from an angry competitor. They are under pressure to remain calm and solve any tension in the air.

Luckily for Bray, he was never in a fight as a referee, but that was not the same for when he was a player. "The only time I had a problem was years ago with Mick Manning," he stated. "We played a dreadful match — best of five, went to 2–2, both stuck on double one. We both had about 30,000 darts at it. I finally hit it, shook his hand, and he slapped me out and called me something. I lost my head, grabbed hold of him, and we got separated. No punches or anything like that, though. That’s about it."

There are a number of well recognised darts callers, with many darts' fans having them shouting out 180 ringing around their heads often. Bray is one of them, with his raspy voice lending itself to becoming one of the most iconic voices of the sport.

When asked for who he believed the best caller of all time was, the PDC Hall of Fame inductee gave two separate answers. "Voice-wise, Bruce Finlay. His intonation, his 180 call — magnificent. For accuracy and not making mistakes, George Noble. Kirk Bevins is right up there as well. But for me, Bruce Finlay for voice, George Noble for consistency."

Bray was quick to pinpoint an answer for this question, moving straight to Gerwyn Price. "Gerwyn Price. He’s a fantastic lad and a fantastic player."

'The Iceman' has been in his fair-share of controversy, with him being regularly seen as the pantomime villain at many darts events, with an endless chorus of boos ringing around the arenas they played in. While he is much more respected and liked now, Bray was still willing to share some nice words on the former world champion.

"Off the oche he’s quiet, respectful. On the oche he wears his heart on his sleeve — that’s his work ethic," Bray explained. "He gives everything. After that incident with Gary Anderson years ago, fans turned against him, but that’s dying out now. He deserves more respect. He’s a smashing lad and an unbelievable dart player."

There are not many higher honours than playing alongside one of darts trailblazers Bristow. The five-time world champion has a huge persona on and off the oche, and was one of the leading darters in the 70s and 80s with the sport rising sharply to new levels of popularity.

The darts referee had some great memories with 'The Craft Cockney.' "Eric was one heck of a character. We travelled together in Canada, went hustling in pool halls, won a few hundred dollars. He was brilliant company."

They even made a deal with each other. "We had a pact that whoever died first, the other wouldn’t wear black to the funeral." When the said day in 2018 arose, Bray was as true to his word. "When Eric passed, I wore a purple tonic suit."

The 68-year-old has been lucky enough to call some of the greatest and most memorable matches the sport has ever produced. One came a few years back, when a 16-year-old Luke Littler reached the final of the PDC World Darts Championship, losing out to Luke Humphries 7-4 in an exhilarating final.

It was also Bray's final match in the PDC. "What a final to go out on," he acknowledged. "Luke Humphries and Luke Littler were unbelievable. I knew I had a new role coming, and I closed that chapter. It wasn’t relief — it was excitement about what was next."

However, this was not the best match he has ever called, with an even more iconic match right at the top. "Raymond van Barneveld vs Phil Taylor, 2007 World Championship final. Sudden-death leg, record number of 180s — nothing will ever beat that," he confidently stated.