Ricky Valance death: Welsh singer behind UK No 1 ‘Tell Laura I Love Her’ dies aged 84

Song spent 16 weeks in the charts upon its release in 1960

Welsh singer Ricky Valance, who achieved a number one hit single in the Sixties with "Tell Laura I Love Her" (Rex)

Welsh singer Ricky Valance has died aged 84, his agent has confirmed.

Valance had been diagnosed with dementia and had been in hospital since before the start of lockdown.

Born David Spencer in Ynysddu, now Caerphilly county, Valance became the first Welshman to achieve a solo UK No 1 hit single, with 1960’s “Tell Laura I Love Her”.

He pursued a music career after joining the RAF when he was 17, performing in clubs around the north of England before being signed.

Despite "Tell Laura I Love Her" reportedly being branded "controversial" upon its release, it spent 16 weeks in the charts, including three weeks at No 1.

In 2015, Valance was presented with an award at a St David’s Day concert held at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff, for being the first Welshman to have a UK No 1 hit.

His final single, “Welcome Home”, was released in 2017 to raise money for the Royal Air Force Museum and RAF Association.

Valance and his wife, Evelyn, were living in Skegness at the time of his death.