Morris says almost losing wife in childbirth is his "inspiration"

TOMMY MORRIS revealed that almost losing his wife in childbirth is the "inspiration" behind his incredible surge into the big time.

The new Dorset star smashed Josh Rock 5-2 in under 10 minutes in their opening Grand Slam Group C clash on his debut in Wolves.

Morris, 34, then admitted that his wife survived a life-threatening complication while giving birth to their daughter in January.

He said: “There was a bit of inspiration at the start of the year. I don’t want to get into it too much but I nearly lost my wife giving birth. For me it’s an inspiration to do really well.

“I looked at this game being a full-time dad, looking after children instead of playing darts. So I’ve took that as a bit of a boost to me. A kick up the butt, so to speak.”

Morris earnt his place at the WV Active Aldersley by beating Luke Humphries in a ProTour final just a week ago.

Morris goes by the nickname ‘The Gun’ - like real-life boxer Tommy Morrison, who co-starred alongside Sylvester Stallone in the 1990 film Rocky V as the Oklahoma boxer Tommy Gunn.

His walk-on lit up Wolves with a wacky machine gun action with his hands.

He added: “I've just got ADHD mate. I’m really enjoying it.

“It's like duck to water for me. I've had some nice messages from family and friends, and fellow dart players.

“When I’m up there I just switch off. I put loops in my ears because I’ve got a bit of tinnitus, ear buds basically. I’m in racehorse mode.

“I’m very happy the way I played and the way it went.

“The bigger picture is that I want to do this full-time but I won’t be disappointed if I don’t because everybody knows me now.

“I want to have fun, I want to take this serious. If I get a card and carry on with this for the next two years, if I don’t I’ll still be chasing it.

“I’m only 34 I’ve got 20 years in this game. I’m just taking every game as it comes.”

Images by Taylor Lanning/PDC.