Gavin & Stacey star even joined long-running soap Pobol y Cwm

Ruth Jones has been learning  Welsh for a new TV series.

The Bridgend-born Gavin & Stacey star is one of five celebrities taking part in Iaith ar Daith (Welsh on the Road), which launches at the weekend.

She admitted: ‘I've been trying to keep learning it ever since school but in quite an unofficial way. 

‘My step-children all went to Welsh language schools, and a lot of my friends are Welsh speaking. There's something sad about being Welsh and not being able to speak it.’

Jones was mentored by actor and comedian Gillian Elisam, and part of her challenge was to understand a script well enough to be able to deliver lines on S4C’s Welsh-language soap Pobol y Cwm. 

She appeared on the programme in January as herself, looking for a garage in the fictional town of Cwmderi after her car broke down on the way to Cardiff. 

Jones said of filming that scene, above: ‘Oh my God I was so nervous - partly, obviously because of the Welsh - acting in a new language which I had never done before, but also because Pobol y Cwm is such an institution, a national Welsh televisual treasure.’

She said it was a strange scene to shoot ‘partly because I was playing myself, not a character, and I don't think I've done that before… I was trying to be as natural as possible and to make my Welsh sound as natural as possible, but inside I was terrified.’

Other celebrities taking part are Carol Vorderman, who had to give a weather forecast in Welsh, Adrian Chiles, ex-sprinter Colin Jackson and former Welsh rugby international Scott Quinnell. All travelled to different parts of Wales to learn more of the language.

Iaith ar Daith starts at 8pm on Sunday night, then on demand via S4C Clic. English subtitles will be available.

Published: 13 Apr 2020