A darts ace hoping to win the World Championship and £500,000 has claimed he will still keep his Iceland delivery driver job if he proves successful in the feat.

Underdog Robert Owen progressed to the third round of the PDC World Darts Championship after defeating “German Giant” Gabriel Clemens this afternoon and having previously beat Niels Zonneveld on Monday.

But the 40-year-old father of three appears to love his job as a driver for Iceland Food Warehouse so much that even the ultimate prestigious win could not persuade him to give it up.

Nicknamed Stack Attack, the sporting hopeful says he feels like he’s living a double life and reports that many colleagues did not actually realise he is a professional darts player until he told them about his upcoming time off a couple of weeks ago.

Welshman Owen’s second match took place at 3.40pm today and he managed to seal a 3-1 victory over Clemens.

Having worked as a delivery driver for Iceland Food Warehouse since June 2023, Owen juggles his part-time contract with three-hours-per-day arrows practice.

The resident of Bridgend in Wales said: ‘I work as an Iceland delivery driver on a part time contract but I manage to cram it all in.

‘I practice darts three hours a day even if I work overtime and I also have a 14-year-old, a 10-year-old, and a seven-month-old baby, so it’s all go.

Robert Owen in action during his match with Gabriel Clemens; 19th December 2024, Alexandra Palace

Robert Owen in action during his match with Gabriel Clemens; 19th December 2024, Alexandra Palace

Nicknamed Stack Attack, the sporting hopeful says he feels like he's living a double life and reports that many colleagues did not actually realise he is a professional darts player

Nicknamed Stack Attack, the sporting hopeful says he feels like he’s living a double life and reports that many colleagues did not actually realise he is a professional darts player

Welshman Owen's second match took place at 3.40pm today and he managed to seal a 3-1 victory over Clemens

Welshman Owen’s second match took place at 3.40pm today and he managed to seal a 3-1 victory over Clemens

‘I book the time off as soon as I know I’m going to be away [playing darts].

‘My manager, James, is great. I tell him all my dates that I’m away for and we work that into the driving schedule for me so that I’m still fulfilling my contract.

‘I would definitely keep my job as a delivery driver at Iceland if I won the tournament because when I go to work, I don’t class it as work, I just enjoy it.’

Richard Walker, Executive Chairman of Iceland, has pledged to fit a ‘full practice arena’ in the staff room when the darts ace returns to work after the tournament.

Owen said: ‘Finishing my deliveries faster gives me more of a thrill than checking out a ton-plus finish.

‘In all the areas I deliver to, everyone knows me and now they all know me as a professional darts player too.

‘One day I’ll show up and deliver their food, and then the next time they see me I’ll be on the TV – it’s quite surreal.’

Owen is currently ranked 77th in the world and says his pre-match ritual is eating chocolate bourbons and that he keeps a pound coin given to him by a dart official as good luck.

The resident of Bridgend in Wales said: 'I work as an Iceland delivery driver on a part time contract but I manage to cram it all in'

The resident of Bridgend in Wales said: ‘I work as an Iceland delivery driver on a part time contract but I manage to cram it all in’

Owen had previously said: 'The thing I'm looking forward to [in the next round] is beating Gabriel Clemens'

Owen had previously said: ‘The thing I’m looking forward to [in the next round] is beating Gabriel Clemens’

Gabriel Clemens versus Robert Owen in their second round match: Gabriel Clemens is introduced to the crowd; 19th December 2024, Alexandra Palace

Gabriel Clemens versus Robert Owen in their second round match: Gabriel Clemens is introduced to the crowd; 19th December 2024, Alexandra Palace

Robert Owen reacts after winning his second round match against Gabriel Clemens on day five of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace

Robert Owen reacts after winning his second round match against Gabriel Clemens on day five of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace

He said: ‘It felt amazing to win (the first round) and it was a dream to play in Alexandra Palace.

‘It’s the biggest stage in the world for darts for anyone all over the world and to have won as well, it was just great, especially with everyone there watching.’

Owen previously said even just winning the second round in the tournament – which he achieved this afternoon – would leave him happy.

He had added: ‘I’m happy now because the (Monday) win will bring a nice payout for after Christmas but I’m playing well so as long as I put on a good performance, it’s all good!

‘The thing I’m looking forward to [in the next round] is beating Gabriel Clemens.

‘I have played him before and I have beaten him but if I don’t, I don’t.

‘If I do, great, I’ll play in the next one. That’s the type of person I am.

‘You win some, you lose some. It’s the only way to be, isn’t it?

Iceland Executive Chairman Mr Walker said he is proud he is of his employee's recent darts successes

Iceland Executive Chairman Mr Walker said he is proud he is of his employee’s recent darts successes

‘I think I could beat Luke Littler.’

Iceland’s Mr Walker said he is proud he is of his employee’s recent darts successes.

He said: ‘We’re thrilled that Owens is doing both us and himself proud so far at the World Championships and we’re excited to see how he progresses.

‘Win or lose, we’ll be making sure he returns to a full practice arena in the staff room to support both of his careers.’