Entertainment

BBC Wales announce whole raft of activity for BBC Children in Need

Published

1 year ago

October 24, 2024

BBC WALES has announced a range of activity this year to raise money for BBC Children in Need, with presenters including Aled Hughes, Jason Mohammad and Derek Brockway all getting involved in the action.

From making a splash with the Thousand Mile Challenge to tackling a gruelling seven-day hike along the North Wales Pilgrim’s Way and joining our resident weatherman for an extra special walk, teams across BBC Cymru Wales are facing some of their most ambitious challenges yet.

BBC Radio Cymru’s Aled Hughes is undertaking an extraordinary 135-mile hike from Holywell to Aberdaron, retracing the steps of pilgrims from centuries ago. Aled will be attempting to walk over 20 miles a day, covering particularly challenging terrain between Bangor and Nantlle Valley, as well as climbing the Carneddau mountains in Eryri.

Accompanying Aled on the week’s walk is mountain leader and expert, Merfyn Jones, along with guests including comedians Tudur Owen and Katie Gill-Williams, and presenters Gerallt Pennant and Dilwyn Morgan.

Aled Hughes said: “Since joining Radio Cymru in 2016 I’ve taken on lots of different challenges to raise money for Children in Need, from climbing up Yr Wyddfa five times in five daysto cycling from Bangor to Cardiff, but I can say hands down this will be the toughest challenge I’ve ever attempted. But across the seven days there will be plenty of fun, banter and storytelling, and we’ll learn from the people who live in and are part of the communities along the trail.”

Aled’s walk will take place across the week leading up to the BBC Children in Need Big Night of TV (9-15 November).

From one gruelling challenge to another, BBC Radio Wales’ Jason Mohammad and BBC Radio Cymru 2’s Dom James will be taking part in an epic swimming challenge with colleagues from across BBC Local Radio in England, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio Foyle to swim a combined 1000 miles for BBC Children in Need.

As part of the Thousand Mile Challenge for BBC Children in Need, Jason will attempt to swim a total of 12 miles across five days (4-8 November), accompanied each day by fellow presenters; Lucy Owen, Molly Palmer, Behnaz Akhgar, Ian Hunt, Eleri Sion and Dom James, who will endeavour to swim 12 miles between them to reach the combined attempted BBC Cymru Wales distance of 24 miles.

***BBC Radio Cymru’s Aled Hughes will be walking over 135 miles for BBC Children in Need***

The presenters will be cheered on and supported by former Team GB swimmers and Olympians, Rebecca Adlington and Mark Foster. The pair of seasoned swimmers and multiple medal winners will be on hand to share all their experience, training tips and words of encouragement as the presenters dive into the challenge.

Jason Mohammad said: “BBC Children in Need is so important and has played a big role in my broadcasting life. From hosting the big concerts for BBC Cymru Wales to the Swim Challenge I completed in Salford Quays for BBC Radio 2 a few years ago. So to have been asked to do a few more miles this time around is an honour, although I have to admit, slightly daunting. I will take on this challenge with everything I’ve got, and I’m already training hard for it, so bring it on.”

Elsewhere, Derek Brockway will be in Pembrokeshire for a special episode of Weatherman Walking as he walks from St David’s to Whitesands while celebrating some of the incredible work done by charities and projects from across Wales which are supported by BBC Children in Need.

Throughout the episode we will hear from organisations including Ruthin-based Calon RDA, which offers children and young people the opportunity to build their confidence through a connection with horses, and RAY Ceredigion, which gives children and young people living in rural areas of west Wales new opportunities, along with a range of charities and projects from across Wales.

The special episode of Weatherman Walking for Children in Need will TX on Wednesday 13November at 8pm on BBC1 Wales.

Rhuanedd Richards, Director of BBC Wales, said: “BBC Children in Need is something we’re proud to support year after year, but we’re so pleased to announce a wealth of activity coming from our teams in BBC Wales this year, with our continued aim to help support vital charity projects in communities across Wales and the rest of the UK. These endeavours might be more ambitious than ever before, but we’ve got no doubt that Aled, Jason, and everyone else taking part will give it their all, and we’ll be cheering them on every step of the way.”

Simon Antrobus, Chief Executive at BBC Children in Need, said: “We’re thrilled to see the BBC Nations and Regions get behind BBC Children in Need’s 2024 Appeal. Right now we are only able to fund 1 in 8 organisations who ask us for support. Only with the generosity of the public can we continue help to lighten the load for hundreds of thousands of children and young people across the UK and help change their lives.”

To find out more, visit https://www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/

Entertainment

Gavin & Stacey stars reunite for Christmas advert

Published

16 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Luke Sinclair

GAVIN & STACEY favourites Joanna Page and Mathew Horne have reunited on screen for a Christmas special – though not the one fans might have hoped for. Instead of returning to Barry or Billericay, the duo appear together in a new festive advert for Waitrose, sharing a turkey pie while responding to a fan’s heartfelt letter about expressing love through food.

The short film marks their appearance in How to Say It With Food, a six-part series in which Page and Horne tackle some of the nation’s most common Christmas food dilemmas. The clip opens with Page teasingly nodding to their iconic sitcom: “Oh, you didn’t think we’d let Christmas roll around without showing up again, did you?”

Horne quickly follows with his own playful line: “Us? Miss Christmas? Not a chance. But this time we’re here to help you say it with food.”

The pair are then handed an envelope “from Santa”, containing a letter from a viewer asking how he can show his “leading lady” he loves her through food. Mathew quips: “First time saying it, you want a statement. Sixteenth time, you want a statement that doesn’t involve socks.”

He then introduces Waitrose’s new Christmas advert starring Keira Knightley and Joe Wilkinson. The main campaign follows an unlikely festive romance sparked by Sussex Charmer cheese and culminating in Wilkinson presenting Knightley with a turkey pie decorated with the words “I love you”. Watching the moment unfold, Page smiles at Horne and mirrors another classic Gavin & Stacey reference: “Oh, that’s so romantic.”

The duo are soon given their own turkey pie to try. Horne eagerly tucks in before cutting Page a slice, prompting laughter from his co-star. The advert ends with the pair wishing viewers a Merry Christmas as Knightley and Wilkinson share a warm festive kiss on screen.

The reunion comes almost a year after audiences tuned in to the BBC sitcom’s much-anticipated finale, which drew an impressive 12.3 million viewers on Christmas Day. The episode wrapped up storylines including Gwen’s blossoming romance with Dave Coaches, Smithy’s near-wedding to Sonia, and the moment fans had long debated – Smithy and Nessa tying the knot.

Reflecting on the new project, Page said: “You thought you’d seen the last of us! Well, we’re back and what fun we had.” She added: “It was such a treat working with Mat… food is what brings people together over the festive season.”

Horne described the experience as “brilliant”, calling their on-screen reunion “a Christmas tradition”.

Entertainment

Filming for new season of S4C crime drama Cleddau returns to Pembrokeshire

Published

2 days ago

December 3, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Production crew spotted in Pembroke Dock, Neyland and Burton as series set for 2026 release

FILMING has returned to Pembrokeshire this week for the next season of Cleddau — the hit S4C crime drama released in English as The One That Got Away.

The production crew has been seen in Pembroke Dock, Neyland and Burton capturing new scenes for the upcoming 2026 series. Local photographer Gareth Davies shared images of the team working along the estuary, describing “a real buzz” in the area as cast and crew returned after the success of the first season.

Crime thriller rooted in the Cleddau estuary

Cleddau follows a murder investigation that reopens buried secrets in a quiet west Wales community. The show has been praised for its atmospheric storytelling, strong performances and striking use of local Pembrokeshire scenery — with the Cleddau estuary itself forming a central part of the series’ identity.

Residents have reported seeing cameras and production vehicles around familiar walking routes, waterfront areas and estuary-side villages as the crew makes full use of the landscape that inspired the show’s name.

Local interest and economic boost

The return of filming has been welcomed locally, bringing attention, visitors and activity into communities along the waterway. For many residents, the excitement lies in spotting familiar places on screen when the new season airs next year.

The new series of Cleddau is expected to be broadcast in 2026.

Entertainment

Cardigan Theatre brings Beauty and the Beast to Mwldan this Christmas

Published

4 days ago

December 1, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Festive panto promises magic, music and family fun

CARDIGAN Theatre is set to bring festive magic to Theatre Mwldan this Christmas with a fun-filled production of Beauty and the Beast, running from 21–29 December. The pantomime is written and directed by Jonathon Preece and promises all the traditional panto sparkle audiences love.

The story follows once-proud Prince Louis (Emily Davies), who angers Agatha the Evil Enchantress (Kelly Lewis). As punishment for his selfishness, she transforms him into the fearsome Beast (Steve Green). His only hope of breaking the spell is to find true love – or remain a beast forever.

Meanwhile, brave and kind-hearted Belle (Ruby Lemoine) sets out to rescue her eccentric father Marcel (Tom Loveday) who on his way to the “Big Invention Competition”, gets lost and stumbles into the enchanted castle and is taken prisoner by the Beast. Determined to save him, Belle is joined by her loyal friend Jaques, the village silly billy (Sarah Harris), flamboyant Dame Madam Fromage (Rhys Davies), and Gavin (Paul Robinson), the vain village heart-throb who is convinced Belle should marry him!

Inside the castle, Belle encounters a host of enchanted objects, including Tick Tock (Lilwen), Flambe (Bryce), and Mrs Kettle (Manon), who provide humour, magic and plenty of encouragement as they try to help the Beast win Belle’s heart and break Agatha’s curse.

With songs, jokes, colourful characters and plenty of audience participation, the production promises festive fun for all ages.

Beauty and the Beast runs at Theatre Mwldan from 21–29 December. Early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.

Cardigan Theatre can be followed on Facebook and Instagram for updates on future shows.