Ipswich: Keith Deller on his 1983 darts win over Eric Bristow

The Chantry High School pupil stunned the darts world when he beat 'Crafty Cockney' Eric Bristow in one of the most outstanding finals in the history of the sport.

And, still today, it sees him enjoying some of the trappings of a world title won in front of a television audience of more than eight million at the time.

"Of course I still remember the final as if it were yesterday," Deller said.

"Even today people come up to me and say what a great final it was.

Still playing, Keith Deller

"Winning the world title has been good for me, I've met so many people and I've been able to raise so much money for charity. It's been wonderful."

Back in 1983, the 23-year-old baby-faced 'Milky Bar Kid', as he was affectionately christened by darts fans, came from nowhere as a qualifier to defeat not just the then world champion Bristow in the final, but John Lowe and Jocky Wilson, the world's top three on the way.

It was an outstanding piece of sporting history and is still regarded as one of the classic darts finals of all time, while it changed Deller's life overnight.

"That win has given me a great life," he continued.

"Going on the QE2 for about 10 years. I met Gene Hackman as I was playing darts in the Officers' Club. He comes in and chats to us.

"I threw darts for Hollywood legends Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers from the Hart to Hart programmme, which was huge at the time. They wanted someone to throw the darts in this episode, but make it look like they were throwing them.

Reunited after their big final, Keith Deller and Eric Bristow (Image: Archant)

"So, I put Robert Wagner's rings on to make it look as though it was him. I was basically the hand that threw the darts!

"At that time I was so well known. I remember Robert coming up to me and saying, 'I hear you're the world champion, the best shooter!'

"I met Jonny Mathis and attended the Queen's Garden Party of sporting world champions at Buckingham Palace that the Queen held to celebrate her 40 years on the throne.

"Not bad for a Chantry schoolboy!" he laughs.

Aside from darts, Deller is a huge Ipswich Town fan, even listening inbetween sessions during his big final with Bristow back in '83 to catch up with how the Blues were doing.

"We were at Charlton that afternoon when I was playing Eric," he said. "I was keeping up to date because we were 2-0 down, but came back to win 3-2.

"I also got told the Ipswich players were quickly back on the bus home from Charlton that afternoon so they could watch my final."

And today, he is still just as big a Town fan.

"I watch all the games and we seem to outplay every team," Deller said.

"Maybe we need scrappy wins. At the moment, Plymouth is a massive game coming up. We beat them, there's nothing in it.

"But we mustn't panic. Do we need another striker? Yes, we probably do. I think we are missing a real goalscoring centre-forward. Because we play lovely football.

"I think it will go down to the wire."

Today, at 63 years old, Keith Deller is still involved in darts, acting as a 'spotter' for television (telling the cameraman where the next dart is likely to go). And he is well-known not just among darts fans, but fans of many sports.

His cheeky smile and huge talent put him and Ipswich on the map 40 years ago.

A night to remember for the town and the 'Milky Bar Kid'!