KING of Cardiff Dan Bewley ended Britain’s wait for a home speedway Grand Prix winner and said: “Last year I was watching on TV!”

The 23-year-old propelled himself to superstardom at the British Grand Prix on Saturday, as he sent the roof off Principality Stadium.

Having impressed with 12 points from five qualifying rides to reach the last eight, Bewley came second in his semi-final, behind Poland’s Patryk Dudek.

But having lined up against world championship leader Bartosz Zmarzlik, as well as former Pirate Leon Madsen and Dudek – Bewley came good in the final.

The Maryport-born star, who made his name with Belle Vue, led from the gate ahead of Zmarzlik to seal the spoils and pick up the full 20 Grand Prix points.

Dudek was left to settle for third, with Madsen claiming fourth.

Former Pirates Jason Doyle and Jack Holder missed out in the semi-finals, the latter having led the qualifying standings alongside Bewley.

Second spot kept two-time world champion Zmarzlik at the top of the season standings ahead of Madsen. Bewley is now in fourth in the overall rankings.

He was just eight when there was last a British winner of the event, when Chris Harris claimed a memorable victory back in 2007.

“I didn’t expect to win to be honest,” admitted a jubilant Bewley.

“I kind of said my goal at the start of the year was just to get the first heat win and we go from there. I think it took me three rounds.

“It’s pretty cool to be here with the best riders in the world. When I think back – last year I was watching on TV and I was expecting to be watching on TV at the start of the season.

“To be here on the podium is even cooler.”

Asked whether he remembered Harris’s famous victory, Bewley added: “I don’t think I watched much speedway back then. I went to Workington every now and then but I didn’t watch Cardiff live.

“It’s not long ago since I first got on a speedway bike – end of 2015, so it’s pretty cool to be here now.”