A FORMER contestant on The Voice has released a single for the hospice that cared for his dad.

Ben Fernihough, originally from Llandeilo, has recorded a charity single in memory of his dad as a way of giving back to Ty Bryngwyn Hospice.

The singer-songwriter penned the tribute while his dad was going through treatment for stomach cancer, before he died in September last year at the hospice.

“It was a very emotional time so it provided a bit of therapy for me.

“The song is called Pa X.

“When dad was in hospital there was a lot of texting before he got really ill and he’d sign off his texts with Pa X - Pa as in dad and a big kiss.

“That’s where the song came from and it seemed like the right title to have.

“Dad always liked my music and he was by far my biggest critic.”

Ben will be donating all of the money he makes from the single to Ty Bryngwyn Hospice, in Llanelli , as a way of thanking them for the care his dad received.

Ben said: “Marathons aren’t really my thing so I thought this was a good way of raising money for the hospice.

“Hospices are so important.

“It allowed us to spend his last few days with him

“Dad loved his music so we took his favourite CD’s for him to listen to which you can’t really do in a hospital.

“I want to give something back as a way of thanks for the incredible care dad received and the support we received as a family.

“It’s great to do something positive with a really rubbish situation.”

Unfortunately, Ben’s dad died just days before he found out that he’d made it through as one of the final few to perform in front of the judges on ITV’s The Voice.

Despite the news, Ben decided to go through with the audition as he knew it was what his dad would have wanted.

He said: “He was very excited to hear I had been given the opportunity to audition for The Voice after appearing at an open mic night near my home in Bristol.

“They were brilliant - they were very compassionate and accommodating and made sure they saw me quickly when I was travelling back and fore.

“I was very close to my dad so it was very upsetting but it occupied my mind and was a little bit of light in a dark time.

“The judges didn’t turn around but they gave me a standing ovation and I walked away knowing that dad would have been proud of my performance.”

Ben returned to Llandeilo for a sold out gig to launch the single last month- somewhere he hasn’t performed since he was in a rock band.

“We moved to Llandeilo when I was three but I’m a Wales rugby fan and Dad and I used to watch the Scarlets,” he said.

“I go back quite regularly but I hadn’t played there for a long time.

“It was fantastic to go back, and to see so many face there supporting me was amazing.

“I’m very excited and also nervous.

“My wife Eirlys has been so supportive as has my best mate Jason Selby.

“They’ve really helped in getting the gig and song organised.”

Ben is planning to stage another fundraising gig in the new year.

Ben’s single is available to download at benfernihough.bandcamp.com/track/pax with all proceeds going to Ty Bryngwyn Hospice.