'Tell Laura I Love Her' singer Ricky Valance has died, aged 84
15 June 2020, 09:38
Welsh singer Ricky Valance has died at the age of 84, his agent has said.
Born David Spencer, Ricky Valance became the first Welshman to have a solo UK Number One single with the tragic tale 'Tell Laura I Love Her' in 1960.
His agent said he had been diagnosed with dementia, and had been in hospital since before lockdown.
After serving in the air force as a teenager, he started performing in clubs in the north of England, before recording 'Tell Laura I Love Her', which tells the story of a boy called Tommy and his love for a girl called Laura.
The song was controversial at the time, and was banned by the BBC due to its sad story of Tommy being killed in a boxcar race.
Ricky Valance-Tell Laura I Love Her-1960
Despite this, it became a massive number one single, selling over a million copies.
In 2015, Valance was awarded at a St David's Day concert at the Wales Millennium Centre for being the first Welshman to have a UK Number One song.
Two years later, he released his final single, 'Welcome Home', to raise money for the Royal Air Force Museum and RAF Association.
