A GRIEVING mum has told how her son, a former member of Only Boys Aloud, died in her arms after losing a battle with bone cancer.

Donna Howell spoke ahead of the funeral of her 18-year-old son Ryan, who passed away at Royal Gwent Hospital after one of his lungs collapsed.

The former West Mon pupil had performed as a baritone in the Only Boys Aloud choir when they came third on Britain’s Got Talent in 2012.

Tributes have poured in for the Fairwater teenager who had been diagnosed with a type of bone cancer called Ewing sarcoma in July 2014.

Members of Only Boys Aloud in Cwmbran dedicated a live performance to Ryan at the Star Inn in Ponthir on Saturday.

The singers are also to remember him each year to keep his memory alive, his mum said.

Mrs Howell, 43, of Molescombe, Fairwater, told the Argus: “He was taken to Royal Gwent. He had difficulty breathing.

“His lung collapsed. That’s when he passed away. He died in my arms.

“He liked to make people laugh. That was his goal.

“He had an infectious smile. He would put a smile on your face.

“He loved country music. He listened to it for hours. He was a giving sort of lad.

“He was the best son I could have ever had.”

The aspiring mechanic was treated at the Velindre cancer centre in Cardiff before he died on August 23.

More than £600 was raised for Velindre at a country and western fundraiser held at Cwmbran Rugby Club days after he died.

Velindre deputy head of fundraising Kylie McKee said: “I assumed that, given the sudden passing of Ryan, the atmosphere at the event would be very sombre but it was far from it.

“The room was packed full of people in their country and western costumes, dancing and chatting away.

“Everybody I spoke to said the same thing; ‘It’s what Ryan would have wanted. He would have loved this tonight'.

“On behalf of everybody at Velindre, thank you to Ryan, his mum Donna and everybody at the club for raising a wonderful amount.”

Only Boys Aloud executive director Rachel Dominy said: “We were aware of what’s happened.

“We are deeply shocked and saddened by it.”

• At least 100 friends and relatives are expected to attend his funeral at Gwent Crematorium in Cwmbran at 2pm on Tuesday.