Valley boy who set sights on stardom (From Free Press Series)

Valley boy who set sights on stardom

HE'S NOT your typical Blaenavon boy. Even as a pupil at St Felix RC primary, Cai Owain Williams wanted something different.

While most of his mates were playing football, he was dreaming of performing on the stage.

And when, as a pupil at Abersychan school, he started modelling, his course was set. Even the bullies couldn't turn him off his chosen path.

"I enjoyed school overall," said Cai.

"I knew as soon as I tried singing and drama that was what I wanted to do. Yes, that led on to a few comments. I stood out. I had long hair and I was doing photo shoots to be a model. I don't think there is another Blaenavon boy like me.

"But I always liked to stand out.

"My brother was briefly expelled from school for fighting on my behalf when people made remarks.

"I think it's made me a stronger person and even more determined to be myself." Cai is 25 and living in Penarth now, although his parents still live on Philips Street, Blaenavon. But how does he feel to be returning to his hometown, taking to the stage and covering songs from people like Luther Vandross, Lionel Ritchie and Marti Pellow? "It's brilliant. I'm really excited," said the energetic singer/model/actor.

"I don't get nervous about performing and I'm looking forward to performing in front of my friends and family."

Cai left Blaenavon when he was 17 and started touring and performing. Apart from an ill-conceived diversion into dentistry - a career he quickly abandoned - it's what he's done ever since.

Now, along with his co-performer Ceri Dupree, he's opening a club, called Dupree's, in Cardiff Bay in September.

Apart from all that, Cai is working on his album Journey So Far and a single I'm Your Light. "It's taking a long time to complete," he admitted.

"I feel that I'm competing against the likes of Justin Timberlake or Prince, so I know it has to be perfect. So until I get to that league I'm not going to put it out."

He's also due to appear in his first acting role, in a play called Funkface.

"I want to keep busy all the time. I'm definitely not a 9-5 person."