ENTERING last year's Valleys Idol talent competition didn't win Les Price a shot at stardom - it led him to true love instead.

Mr Price, 40, of Llanhilleth, just missed out on claiming a place in the top three of the Hospice of the Valleys singing contest.

Little did Mr Price know that a clip of him singing on the Hospice of the Valleys website would lead to him meeting his future wife Zeruiah Carpenter, 38, of Risca.

He said: “I have found true love - and it’s all thanks to Valleys Idol.”

It was in June last year when Mr Price entered the auditions of the annual singing contest at Park Hotel, Waunlwyd, Ebbw Vale, with his version of “Angels” by Robbie Williams.

Mr Price, who had to give up work as a labourer three years ago after injuring his back, had a passion for singing and occasionally sang at local churches including Zion Congregational Church, Llanhilleth.

His voice impressed the judges so much, he was a finalist, where he sang American Trilogy and Bring Him Home at the final in September.

A clip of him singing was put on the website which his friend Suzanne Clarke put on her Facebook page.

This led to Miss Carpenter, who is also a friend of Ms Clarke, checking the clip out online and being so impressed with what she saw that she contacted Mr Price.

After meeting up in November, the couple fell in love, with Mr Price proposing in March.

The couple are now set to marry at Zion Congregational Church on June 19.

Miss Carpenter, who has three children Zack, 15, Carlie, 12 and Xander Barrett, six, said: “When I saw the clip I just had goosebumps.

“I knew we were going to be together.”