Stereophonics frontman Kelly Jones sings an acoustic version of Andy Williams’s classic ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’ in tribute to Gary Speed.
The song became an adopted anthem of Welsh football fans during Speed’s playing career with Wales after being used in a BBC Wales promo for the 1994 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Speed, who was found dead at his Cheshire home aged 42 on Sunday, was an integral part of the Wales squad that came so close to qualifying for the World Cup finals in the United States.
Jones broke off from working on new material with the band in Brussels to record his acoustic version of the song.
The video will feature as part of a special tribute to Speed in BBC Cymru Wales’ Sport Wales programme on BBC Two Wales on Friday (2200 GMT).
Jones, a supporter of one of Speed’s former clubs, Leeds United, said: “I was with my two daughters at the Millennium Stadium after the Wales v England international [in March].
“We were waiting at the lift and Gary ended his phone conversation and shook my hand. We had a chat about the game and shared the lift to the ground floor.
“He was a very nice man. Good looking fella. I was consumed the whole day when I heard the news.
“I couldn’t get my head around it. Then the BBC approached me to record the song. It’s a 10 minute job, but I hope it’s fitting for the tribute on the show.”
Jason Mohammad will present the special tribute to Gary Speed from Leeds United’s Elland Road stadium.
He will be joined by Speed’s former Leeds and Wales team-mate Matt Jones. The programme will include tributes from Alan Shearer, Robbie Savage, Gary McAllister, Tony Pulis, Ashley Williams and others.
Sport Wales, BBC Two Wales, Friday, 2 December, 2200 GMT
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