Newtown police detective shortlisted for Welsh TV song contest

Songs written by Steve Williams and Rhydian Meilir have been selected to compete for the chance to win £5,000 and the Cân i Gymru 2022 title.

Elin Fflur and Trystan Ellis-Morris are back to present the prestigious competition which will be broadcast live on S4C from Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Friday, March 4.

Steve Williams, a Dyfed-Powys Police detective based in Newtown, will be performing on Can i Gymru. Picture by S4c/Avanti

Steve Williams, a Dyfed-Powys Police detective based in Newtown, will be performing his song Pan Ddaw’r Byd i Ben (When the World Ends).

The inspiration for the song came from the events surrounding COP-26, and Steve hopes to raise awareness on climate change through his performance.

His song Yr Arlywydd (The President) reached the shortlist in last year’s competition.

Rhydian Meilir, from Cemaes near Machynlleth, is a familiar face for Cân i Gymru.

Rhydian Meilir, from Cemaes near Machynlleth, is a familiar face for Cân i Gymru.

He reached the shortlist in 2012 with Cynnal y Fflam, in 2019 with Gewn ni Weld Sut Eith Hi and composed two out of the eight songs shortlisted in 2020, Pan Fyddai’n 80 Oed and Tir a’r Môr.

BAFTA Cymru award-winning actor and singer-songwriter Ryland Teifi will perform the song, Mae yna Le (There is a Place), a tribute to nature and beauty of the world.

As always, viewers are responsible for choosing the winner by voting over the phone.

Trystan Ellis Morris and Elin Fflur will be presenting Can i Gymru live from Aberystwyth.

The panel of experts who selected the eight shortlisted songs are Dafydd Iwan, Betsan Haf Evans, Lily Beau and Elidyr Glyn.

"Being on the panel this year was really enjoyable, as many years have passed since I last had the privilege. The standard has improved dramatically, and the variety was amazing,” said Dafydd Iwan, the iconic musician who is about to celebrate 60 years in the industry.

"Taken into consideration that these songs were produced in leisure time, and many of the composers would never think of competing, as a nation we should celebrate our creativity and I'm really looking forward to hearing the final performances.”

Elidyr Glyn, winner of Cân i Gymru 2019, is also excited: "It's a privilege to be invited to take part as a judge, and I'm delighted to be given this opportunity to contribute. Having been involved in the process of selecting the songs for the final part of the competition, I am eager to hear the views of the public as they vote for the winner.

"Such a wide range of songs has made the final eight this year - in fact there were many more that could have secured a well-deserved place in the final. This year, I anticipate people will have more than one favourite, so it could be a really close competition.

"I'm looking forward to being part of the evening again and I wish all the composers and performers the best of luck."

Who is performing on Cân i Gymru 2022?

1. Rhyfedd o Fyd by Elfed Morgan Morris and Carys Owen. Words by Emlyn Gomer Roberts. Performed by Elain Llwyd.

2. Cana dy Gân by Geth Tomos, words by Geth Robyns. Performed by Rhys Owain Edwards.

3. Paid Newid dy Liw by Mali Hâf and Trystan Hughes. Performed by Mali Hâf.

4. Ymhlith y Cewri by Darren Bolger.

5. Diolch am y Tân by Carys Eleri and Branwen Munn. Performed by FFLOW.

6. Pan Ddaw’r Byd i Ben by Steve Williams.

7. Mae yna Le by Rhydian Meilir. Performed by Ryland Teifi.

8. Rhiannon by Siôn Rickard.

Details on how to vote and a score card are available on the S4C website.

S4C is also preparing a playlist of past winners, which will be available to watch on S4C's YouTube channel from Sunday, February 27.

Cân i Gymru will be shown on BBC iPlayer at 8pm on Friday, March 4, with English subtitles available.