GWENT singer Ricky Valance has died at the age of 84 in Spain, his agent has confirmed.

Born David Spencer, Valance, from Ynysddu, he became the first Welshman to have a solo British Number One hit with the song Tell Laura I Love Her when it topped the UK charts in August 1960.

The eldest of seven children, he went to work as a miner before his singing career took off.

His agent said he had been diagnosed with dementia and had been in hospital since before the start of the coronavirus outbreak.

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He started performing in clubs in the north of England before being signed and recording Tell Laura I Love Her.

The song tells the tragic story of a boy called Tommy and his love for a girl called Laura.

It spent 16 weeks in the chart, three of those at number one, but was to prove to be his only big hit in the UK.