David John Jones MBE (18 October 1943 – 4 March 2022), known as Dai Jones Llanilar, was a Welsh language television presenter, singer and radio broadcaster.[1]
Dai Jones | |
|---|---|
 Jones in 2017 | |
| Born | David John Jones 18 October 1943 |
| Died | 4 March 2022 (aged 78) |
| Nationality | Welsh |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 1966–2020 |
| Spouse |
Olwen Jones (m. 1966) |
| Children | One |
Early life
editDavid John Jones was born in Holloway, London, Middlesex, to a family of Welsh farmers. He moved to Wales at the age of three and was brought up by his uncle and aunt on their dairy farm in Brynchwith, Llangwyryfon. He went to school at Llangwyryfon and Ysgol Dinas, Aberystwyth and started working on the farm at 15 years old. Jones said that he deliberately failed his 11-plus exam to avoid going to grammar school because he had heard that there was a lot of homework.[2]
At a young age, Jones was an active member of the chapel, and also the Eisteddfod and Young Farmers clubs which gave him an upbringing in Welsh culture and traditions. In 2004, Jones became the President of the Welsh Black Cattle Society in its centenary year 2004–2005.[3]
Career
editJones, known as Dai Jones Llanilar,[4] was best known for presenting tv shows on S4C, such as Cefn Gwlad, made by ITV Cymru Wales, which documents the lives of farming families. He hosted this show since it began in 1982. He was also the main presenter of The Royal Welsh Show when it is held annually at the end of July. He was already well known on TV as the presenter of the family quiz show Siôn a Siân which he presented from 1971 to 1987. He also hosted a weekly musical requests programme on BBC Radio Cymru.
Jones was an accomplished tenor and won the blue riband prize at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in 1970. He also released recordings with the Welsh recording label Cambrian.
As a well-known figure in Wales, Jones was regularly lampooned in the Welsh satirical cartoon series Cnex.
He published his autobiography in 1997, entitled Fi Dai Sy' 'Ma.[5] It was translated into English by Lyn Ebeneser and published as Dai and let live in 2004.[6]
In December 2020, Jones announced his retirement from television and radio, after a career of over 50 years.[7]
Personal life
editJones was married to Olwen and had a son, John. He died on 4 March 2022, at the age of 78, and his funeral was attended by some 600 people.[8][4]
Awards
editJones won a BAFTA Cymru in 2004 for his contributions to Welsh television broadcasting.
Later that year, Jones also won the Sir Bryner Jones Award for his contribution to rural affairs.
In the 2000 New Year Honours, he was awarded the MBE "for services to Entertainment in Wales".[9]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971–1987, 2014 | Sion a Siân | Co-presenter | |
| 1983–2020 | Cefn Gwlad | Presenter | |
| ?–2019 | Y Sioe | Presenter | Annually |
| 1993–2016 | Rasus | Presenter | |
| 1994 | Pobol y Chyff | Dai Jones Llanilar | Episode: Cefin Gwlard |
References
edit- ^ Harries, Robert (4 March 2022). "Welsh presenting legend Dai Jones Llanilar has died". WalesOnline. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
- ^ "Dai Jones Llanilar's Royal Welsh honour". Daily Post. 15 July 2010. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
- ^ "All-Blacks head to win over Australia..." Daily Post. 30 October 2008. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
- ^ a b "Dai Jones Llanilar: Hundreds attend funeral". BBC Mews. 20 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ www.gwales.com - 9780860741428, Cyfres y Cewri: 17. Fi Dai Sy' 'Ma
- ^ Dai Jones (2004). Dai and let live. Gomer Press. ISBN 9781843234579. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
- ^ "Dai Llanilar: 'Diolch i bawb am rannu'r daith gyda mi'". BBC Cymru Fyw (in Welsh). 17 December 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
- ^ Dai Jones, Llanilar dead at 78
- ^ "MBE civil (H - M)". BBC News. 31 December 1999. Retrieved 30 April 2010.