It was not to be for Blackwood singing duo Into The Ark after they finished runners-up in this year’s The Voice.
The TV music talent show, which had moved to ITV for 2017, was won by Mo Adeniran, with Cardiff singer Jamie Miller coming third.
Into The Ark, otherwise known as Dane Lloyd and Taylor Jones, were mentored throughout the show by Sir Tom Jones – who caused a stir when he swore live on air during Sunday night’s final.
Taylor, who was celebrating his 21st birthday, and Dane, 25, sang Hold On, We’re Going Home by Drake, and Not A One by The Young Wild in the final sing-off with the hope of securing a record contract.
While falling just short of winning the competition, Sir Tom insisted they had a long career ahead of them.
He told them on the show: “We come from the same place, when I started in Wales I was going round in the van the same way that you’ve been doing.
“You write your own songs, you’ve got the whole thing.”
The legendary singer and icon from Pontypridd has put his money where his mouth and revealed in an interview with the Radio Time that Into The Ark will be supporting him on his next tour.
The two singers had prepared for the live two-part final by going back to where it began and had performed at The Forge Inn, in Oakdale, last week for a homecoming gig.
Islwyn AM Rhianon Passmore, who used to teach Dane, added her praise and said: “I’ve watched over the weeks as our Blackwood boys Dane and Taylor have entertained a nation.
“As a former music teacher I was privileged to have taught Dane Lloyd and his talented musician brother Zak. It would be an understatement to say that I am just a tiny bit proud.
“Walking in the giant footsteps of The Manic Street Preachers, Into The Ark have once again put Blackwood on the musical map.
“I am extending an invitation to Dane and Taylor along with their trusted mentor Sir Tom Jones to the National Assembly for Wales to show them how proud everybody across Islwyn is at their achievements.”