THE search for Gwent’s Best Dad has come to an end, and the South Wales Argus can reveal that the winner is Andrew Payne, from Rogerstone.

Mr Payne was nominated by his two daughters, Lauren Payne and Kirsty Fox-Smith, who described their dad as a “real-life hero” after he fought through a serious illness to walk Mrs Fox-Smith down the aisle.

Ms Payne, 29, told the Argus: “Dad was diagnosed with end stage kidney failure.

“But luckily he had his transplant and was able to walk my sister down the aisle six months later.

“Sadly, last year he was rushed to hospital with a bleed on the brain.We thought we had lost him again.

“But again he was very lucky and pulled through.

“I would love to make him feel worth the world.

Ms Fox-Smith called her dad “the heartbeat of the estate”.

“My dad is my hero,” she added.

Mr Payne, who first found out about the nomination when his wife showed him the Argus article, said: “It makes me feel really proud. It’s nice to know how much I mean to my family and friends, although I just think I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing.

“My family comes first anyway. I don’t need anything else.”

The runner up in this year’s close-fought competition was Richard Jenkins from Abergavenny.

Mr Jenkins was nominated by his four-year-old son Joshua, who said his dad deserved a special treat after having to watch mum spend a month in hospital.

“My daddy is the best always but this past two months have been really hard for my family,” said Joshua.

“My mummy has had to spend nearly a month in hospital as she was very poorly. My baby brother came into the world six weeks early.”

As the winner, Mr Payne will get a round of Footgolf for four people at Caerleon Golf Club, plus lunch for four people at the Celtic Manor Resort worth around £150.

Close runner-up Mr Jenkins has won a pass for four people for one game at Superbowl UK Newport (must include one junior).