Snooker champ's baby joy

Baby Freddie weighed in at 7lb 12oz

Snooker champion Matthew Stevens says he is tickled pink at becoming a father.

The star's girlfriend Clare Holloway gave birth to a 7lb 12oz son earlier this week and the couple have named him after Stevens' late father.

Carmarthen-born Stevens said the birth of baby Freddie was "10 times better than winning the UK title" which he picked-up last month.

"I can't stop staring at him and it hasn't really sunk in yet but I'm really getting used to being a dad," said 26-year-old Stevens.

"Being an expectant father and a dad has made me more relaxed.

"Now I have a little one to consider I realise snooker isn't everything."

Baby Freddie has been given the middle name Morrell as a tribute to Stevens' dad who died three years ago at the age of 48.

Stevens is now planning to buy a home in Carmarthen and settle down.

He has also vowed to cut back on his wild nights and focus on his game.

But he says he does not want his son to follow in his footsteps and would prefer him to take up golf.

Stevens won his first ranking snooker tournament, the Travis Perkins UK Championship, in December in a dramatic televised final against former world champion Stephen Hendry.