A FORMER Gwent man will introduce the likes of Sir Terry Matthews and First Minister Carwyn Jones at a Ryder Cup dinner at the Celtic Manor.

Bruno Cook, 51, was asked to act as toastmaster at the high-profile dinner which takes place at the Ryder Cup venue on October 2.

Mr Cook, who said he fell into toastmastering work ten years ago, was emailed by a marketing agency about the possibility a month ago and jumped at the chance.

As master of ceremonies, Mr Cook will be meeting and greeting guests as they arrive and announce speakers, entertainers and various VIPs as well as keeping the whole event running to time.

Mr Cook said the dinner will be an exclusive event with about 35 guests.

He said the event is expected to host Sir Terry Matthews, the First Minister and the singer Rhydian with other VIPs confirmed nearer the time.

Mr Cook said his son Lewis Cook, 28, who works as a professional actor, might also be taking part in the event to meet and greet guests on the door.

Mr Cook, who lived in Caldicot for more than 40 years and Newport for seven years before recently moving to Cardiff, decided to give the new role his full attention and gave up his engineering job three years ago.

He said this will be the highest-profile event he has ever done.

“This is a real opportunity. If this works well this could lead on to other similar events. It’s very exciting,” he said.