02.11.2017

Little Archie’s got The UneXpected Factor

Newborn baby Archie O’Doherty, pictured in mum Laura’s arms, made a dramatic entrance into the world – as his family sat down to watch The X Factor.

Archie, son of PLA driftwood master Martin, was due at the beginning of November but made an early appearance at the End of Part One. Laura Osbourne, 27, knew it was her moment as she climbed the stairs of her Gravesend home and shouted at Martin, 29, for help.

Martin said: “We’d just started watching The X Factor on a Sunday night. Laura left to use the bathroom and felt something was up. I got on the phone as Laura’s waters broke as I wanted a relative to look after Ollie, our four-year-old. Laura shouted at me to get an ambulance instead – so I did."

By the time help arrived, tiny Archie was already born, weighing in at 5lb 6oz. Paramedics cut the cord and declared mum and baby healthy.

They were then able to nip downstairs and enjoy the rest of the ITV One reality show.

Martin who works on boats clearing the tidal Thames of debris, among other duties, said: “It was an incredible bit of drama but I’m just glad Archie and Laura are both ok. It’s one spot of telly that we’ll never forget.

“The other thing we won’t forget is the emergency response vehicle which was sent ahead of the ambulance. It barely got into our street, I looked out and saw smoke pouring from it!”