A VALE of Clwyd tenor is helping to celebrate the 50th anniversary of an iconic S4C series.
Rhys Meirion, who lives in Ruthin, will present a special one hour programme of S4C’s religious series Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol this Sunday (November 6).
The first episode came live from Trinity Chapel, Swansea on January 1, 1961 - and the series has been broadcast regularly since then, making it older than the BBC’s Songs of Praise by several months.
Tenor Rhys is the latest addition to the lineage of presenters, which include Robin Williams, Rhys Jones, John Stewart Roberts and rugby commentator Huw Llywelyn Davies.
“I’ve watched the programme since I was a little boy,” said Rhys, who joined the presenting team in September.
“It was part of the Sunday night routine in our house and it’s fantastic to be a part of something so special.
“The presenting is a challenge but I enjoy it very much.
"It’s something completely different from my work as a singer and I get to visit interesting places and meet fascinating people along the way.”
Rhys, who is originally from Tremadog but now lives in Ruthin, believes that the tradition of hymn singing in Wales is behind the success of the series.
“Hymns are a part of our make up as a nation – whether we sing them in the pub or in chapel,” said Rhys.
“I think people enjoy watching Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol to hear the singing.”
It was this passionate hymn singing in the programme 50 years ago which caught the attention of BBC bosses in London, who were inspired to produce a similar programme for the English audience.
Ten months later, in October 1961, Songs of Praise was born.
In the special anniversary programme, Rhys and his co-presenters Alwyn Humphreys and Luned Aaron, will look back at the 50 year history of Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol.
The programme will also include singing from a special celebratory Cymanfa recorded in Aberystwyth on October 2.
“The Cymanfa in Aberystwyth was a very special day,” added Rhys.
“Owain Arwel Hughes conducted the singing and we had Rob Nicholls at the organ.
“We sang some of the most popular hymns, and I was glad that I didn’t have a concert the following day since I didn’t have much of a voice left!”