A 24-year-old PE teacher from Machynlleth proved he could perform as a champion as a singer too by winning S4C’s prestigious singing competition Cân i Gymru (A Song for Wales) live on the Channel Friday night (29 February).
On Leap Year night, Aled Myrddin jumped to the front by winning the top prize of £10,000 for his song ‘Atgofion’ (Memories) attracting more votes than any other entry from an expert panel and voters at home in an electrifying night at the Afan Lido Centre, Port Talbot.
In an evening, hosted by Sarra Elgan and Rhydian Bowen Phillips, he beat off eight other entries in a grand TV final which had been whittled down from an original 109 entries.
Lowri Evans and Lee Mason of Newport, Pembrokeshire came second with their song ‘Ti a Fi’ (You and Me) winning a sweet £4,000 while Bangor University student, Ieuan Wyn, won a handy £2,000 for the song ‘Gwenllian Haf’ performed on the night by Gruff Rees.
Aled Myrddin, originally from Menai Bridge but now living in Machynlleth with his wife Erin, was over the moon after winning the much-vaunted award and the opportunity to represent Wales at the Pan-Celtic Festival in Donegal in a few weeks’ time.
The PE Teacher at Ysgol Bro Dyfi. Machynlleth, said “It never crossed my mind that I’d win – it’s a dream come true. The inspiration behind the song is my wife, Erin and my family. They’ve been with me throughout my journey in life, we all have our memories and I decided to relive some of mine through this song.”
Aled is a familiar face to many as a member of the Christian pop group Manna and has also competed on many a national stage. He won the Cerdd Dant Solo competition for 19-25 year olds at the 2003 Urdd National Eisteddfod and competed for the Bryn Terfel Scholarship the same year.
Added Aled, "I definitely want to buy some recording equipment with the £10,000 so I can focus more on songwriting, the rest will go straight into the bank!”
The first prize was presented to Aled by the 2007 Cân i Gymru winners, Einir Dafydd and Ceri Wyn Jones.
