FROM helping his wife through difficult times to delivering his own baby daughter, Michael Day is a very special father.

He's a Dad in a Million according to wife Leah and nine-month-old Heather, who entered him in our reader competition to thank him for his bravery.

Heather's sudden arrival brought joy to Leah and Michael, who had lost a baby in the early stages of pregnancy last year.

"Michael supported me and looked after me very well through it," said Leah.

"He's now a brilliant dad and I wanted to show him he's appreciated," she added.

When Leah went into sudden labour in the bathroom of their Leigh Sinton home, Hanley and Upton cricketer Michael had his wicket-keeping skills put to the test.

"He was running round phoning the hospital," said Leah.

"They said they couldn't send an ambulance, so he eventually phoned 999.

"He had to explain the situation, and the guy talked him through what to do."

Although he is usually too squeamish even to watch Casualty on television, Michael had already delivered baby Heather by the time paramedics arrived.

"I didn't really think about what I was doing, I just got on with it," he said, "She was crying when she came out, which even I knew was a good sign, so I was very relieved."

"All through the pregnancy, we'd joked that I should take my wicket keeping gloves to the hospital."

"He was great," said Leah. "I remember him making cups of tea for all the ambulance men."

Leah's 12-year-old son Philip visits the couple regularly and she said her husband had taken to his stepson like a natural father.

Michael was not too embarrassed to be nominated as a fantastic dad.

"I know I'll get a lot of stick if I win, but secretly, I'll be very proud," he said.

The West Ham fan is already sharing a passion for football with his daughter.

He said: "I've bought her a West Ham babygrow and bib, and I will be taking her to matches. She has no choice, she's going to be a Hammers fan."