Darts star Callan Rydz has been left devastated after his grandad passed away just hours following his emotional second-round triumph at the World Darts Championship.
The 27-year-old Geordie thrower had produced a stunning upset against world No22 Daryl Gurney on Tuesday, securing his place in the third round at Alexandra Palace.
But what should have been a moment of pure celebration quickly turned to heartbreak for the fan favourite.
Rydz had been visibly emotional after his victory, with his grandad's battle with illness weighing heavily on his mind throughout the match.
Callan Rydz was overcome with emotion after beating Daryl Gurney at the Ally Pally
|PA
Taking to Instagram, Rydz shared a moving tribute to his beloved grandad.
"There's not enough words to say. RIP grandad," he wrote.
"I'll promise to try my best to make you and grandma proud up there. I love you."
Speaking after his win, the Bedlington thrower had opened up about the difficult circumstances he was facing.
"I wear my heart on my sleeve. I'm struggling," Rydz admitted.
Callan Rydz took to social media to explain his heartbreaking loss just before his World Championship clash
|"It's hard when you have stuff going on back home. I came here to try and forget about it. It's hard. I play for my family.
"I've got a job to do and thankfully I got through. I have too much stuff going on back home. I hear the crowd sing my name and I smile. But I wish I was home."
Rydz also revealed his cherished Christmas traditions with his grandad, who had been watching the match from hospital.
"Christmas Day, we have a tradition, if my grandad is OK, we will go to the pub. Have a laugh with the lads. Then have dinner," he explained.
"I normally go out on his mobility scooter, driving round Bedlington like an idiot. I put it on the high and fast mode and fly around everywhere.
"My grandad likes a laugh about that and that makes me happy. I play for my family. My grandma, granddad, my mum, they got us into darts. Everything I do is for them."
In a heartbreaking admission, Rydz had even contemplated stepping away from the sport entirely once his grandad passed.
Callan Rydz revealed how close he was to his grandfather, who always supported him
|"I will go home now, see how the big man is. Listen once he goes, I will probably consider packing it in. Probably. But I don't know. I have a decision if I want to keep doing it," he said.
This marks the second year running that Rydz has faced family tragedy during the tournament, having lost his grandma shortly before last year's championship.
The popular thrower will undoubtedly have the full support of the Ally Pally faithful when he returns to the oche on Monday.
He faces a tough test against Northern Irish ace Josh Rock, the world No11, heading into the third round as a significant underdog once again.