WES NEWTON has celebrated the birth of his second son ahead of the Cash Converters Players Championship Finals - having helped to deliver the baby at home on Monday morning!
The world number eight endured a dramatic night after expectant partner Stacey went into labour in the early hours of Monday morning at their home in Fleetwood - only hours after he returned from competing in a Players Championship in Barnsley.
The baby began to arrive as Newton was calling for an ambulance, leaving the former UK Open finalist and his partner's mother having to aid the delivery of baby Zac at home!
Newton had been preparing to replicate the "Adrian Lewis Dash" this weekend - mirroring the Stoke ace's journeys to and from Stoke during last year's Players Championship Finals for the birth of his baby boy between his first round and second round games.
However, he will now travel to the Butlins Minehead Resort for Friday afternoon's first round clash with Andy Smith able to concentrate on his challenge in the £250,000 event.
"We're delighted and very proud to have another baby, but it was an incredible night," admitted Newton. "Our first son only took 90 minutes and they say that your second child can be quicker - but this was less than ten minutes from start to finish.
"Obviously we knew that there was a possibility Stacey could go into labour while I was away playing in a tournament, so it's lucky I was at home!
"Stacey was having contractions during the night and started getting ready to go to the hospital, but then her waters broke. I'd called her mum, and luckily she only lives around the corner, and I was still on the phone to the hospital when his head came out.
"The hospital were talking me through what to do because the ambulance was still on the way, and her mum was great.
"It's a weight off my mind that he's arrived this week and that everything's fine with him, and I'm quite lucky that it was over quickly because I know some people can be in labour for a day or two.
"They took Zac into hospital for 48 hours just as a precaution to make sure everything's okay, but he's fine and he is back home now.
"Last year, Adrian went back to Stoke for the birth in between his first and second round matches, and I didn't want to be in that position - I certainly wouldn't have made back to Fleetwood it in time!
"I've not had chance to get any practice in this week with everything that's happened but I'll go to Minehead and focus on my darts now.
"I want to do as well as I can there - the longer I stay in the tournament the more sleep I can get!"
Wes Newton will be playing Andy Smith in Friday's afternoon session of first round games at the Cash Converters Players Championship Finals - watch live on ITV4 from 12.45pm!