The second 90-second statement today is about a Welsh darts player—who would've thought it? This Friday, 17 January, would have been the eightieth birthday of Leighton Rees. Leighton was born in Ynysybwl, the village where he spent much of his life. After school, he worked for a motor spares company, and during this time, he took up darts. He was a regular for his pub and county, and then found fame playing the sport on a wider stage in the 1970s.

Television beckoned. He took part in Yorkshire tv’s The Indoor League, the only player to win the darts tournament element twice. Indeed, such was the fame and name of the Ynysybwl competitor, nicknamed 'Marathon Man', that he turned professional in 1976. The inaugural World Darts Federation World Cup in 1977 featured Leighton as part of the triumphant Welsh team that clinched first prize. Leighton also won the singles tournament. The following year, he triumphed at the initial Embassy world professional darts championship in Nottingham.

After being ranked as world No. 1, his career experienced something of a decline, yet Leighton remained one of darts' most popular competitors. His matches nearly always resulted in full arenas. He enjoyed success on tv's Bullseye, and he is credited for helping to make darts a popular tv entertainment, and he was also a much-loved and respected local figure. A street, Leighton Rees Close in Ynysybwl, was named after him. Leighton died in 2003 aged 63, but the legend of the 'Marathon Man' lives on.