Little Jordan Kade Dickens was born at 9.25pm on Monday weighing a ''mighty three pounds, 13 ounces [1.7 kilos]'', his dad said.

''He's unreal, mate. He's a little gem. He's just beautiful. We gave him a wash today and they let me hold him. I held on to him for nearly an hour I think it was. He even ended up opening his eyes and checking me out. He's got a good little grip on him too.''

Mother Brooke Rodger was also doing well.

Jordan was not due until December 23 so no one was expecting his arrival on Monday.

Dickens was in Sydney appearing on Idol's live verdict show on Monday night. As soon as it was finished, he caught a plane to Canberra, unfortunately missing the birth. His mother Cathy Hales and sister Emma were there with Ms Rodger.

The knockabout shearer paid tribute to the staff at the Centre for Newborn Care at the Canberra Hospital for the way they were looking after Jordan. ''He's doing real well and he couldn't be in better hands,'' he said. Dickens, 26, flew back to Sydney last night to keep competing in Australian Idol. His son's birth has put a few things in perspective.

''If I get dropped out of this competition I'm going to be as happy as if I win it, mainly because I've got a brilliant thing to come home to.'' Dickens is a shearer in Young but grew up in Canberra. Megan Doherty