Tributes paid to singing rugby player

A FORMER rugby player and semi-professional singer who won TV talent contest Opportunity Knocks for five weeks in a row has died.

Glen Landeg, who played for Bridgend rugby club for 10 years between 1957 and 1967, passed away on January 3.

As well as his time on the rugby field the 78-year-old from Taibach was also well known in the community for his singing career.

His wife Margaret said: "He went to the Cardiff College of Music and did that for a number of years.

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"He did two shows with the Port Talbot Amateur Society and did lots of cabaret."

During his rugby career he captained Bridgend twice and was also a Welsh reserve.

Margaret said it was through his rugby that Glen got into singing.

"He was playing for Bridgend and they would go on tour," she said.

"Someone had to sing and after he did they said he should take it up and that was how he started.

"He had a wonderful voice. He did so many things. He used to sing all over South Wales. It was cabaret in all the clubs during the 1970s and 1980s. He did have a very good voice."

It was in 1967 Glen hit the big time on television screens by appearing on variety competition Opportunity Knocks.

"He was on Opportunity Knocks in 1967 and won it for five weeks," said Margaret, who married Glen in 1958.

"It was live back then but it wasn't recorded on tape. He was a tenor singer and used to sing ballads. My daughter was 5 at the time and I remember he said he was singing a song for his daughter.

"I always remember that.

"The studio was in Manchester and we went up there every time. It was fascinating to see. It was great."

Glen, who also had played rugby for Neath and Aberavon, was also known for opening up a boutique called Aquarius in 1969 on Forge Road in Port Talbot town centre.

As well as his wife, whom he would have shared 55 years of marriage in March, Glen also leaves his daughter Sarah and grandson aged 19.

"He had a great life and we have to celebrate that," said Margaret.

The funeral will be held at Margam Crematorium on January 24 at 3pm.