Croeso! Celebrity hosts coached in art of Welsh
AWELSH-language adviser has been helping Ant and Dec practise their language skills for a second year running.
Last year, I’m a Celebrity viewers got to hear the pair use phrases such as ‘noswaith dda’, ‘croeso’ and ‘nos da’ after the ITV production relocated from the Australian jungle to Gwrych Castle in Abergele due to Covid-19 restrictions.
And with the hit TV show set to return to our screens on Sunday, Welsh-language consultants Garffild Lloyd Lewis and his wife, Sian Eirian Lewis, hope that the show will continue to raise the profile of the language.
According to Garffild, at first the couple, from Llangernyw near Abergele, were only hired to help out with simple things.
“We were so shocked and surprised when ITV got in contact with us last year,” he explained.
“At first our work was pretty simple – we offered advice and translations for signs they wanted around the set, such as ‘ Kiosk Cledwyn’ and ‘Yr Hen Siop’. Eventually, however, they wanted more help on pronunciations.
“Due to Covid, all we could do was send over sound files to them – we would record them at home, send them over, Ant and Dec would then send their recordings to check if the pronunciations were OK.
“They did really well considering that some words were quite difficult, for example the word ‘Gwrych’.
“With only a few Welsh words, I think the TV show has done a lot to show that the language is important to us and is a prominent language in a lot of communities across Wales.
“Last year, Duolingo saw a sharp rise in the amount of people that signed up to learn the language through the app in the first week.
“Working alongside an English TV production has been amazing – they are really keen to learn about our culture, but more specifically our sense of humour. We made it clear from the beginning that we would avoid all stereotypical humour of Wales and they completely respect that. Ant and Dec would often check with us in regards to their use of humour before making the jokes.
“From the very beginning, we wanted this opportunity to show that the language could be fun. We told Ant and Dec to just go for it, but to have fun with it. It’s better to have fun with a language rather than make fun of it.
“They really did enjoy the experience and I think that says a lot about how you try and learn a new language.”
Garffild now hopes the show will have a lasting legacy, not only on the language’s profile, but on the neighbouring communities.
“We have thoroughly enjoyed working with such a huge and fantastic team,” he said.
“It has been a very memorable and valuable experience for us.
“The impact it has had on the local community, not just because of the language, has been amazing. The number of people they have employed from Abergele and further afield in north Wales has been tremendous. They’ve hired people for the tech department, cameramen, hired buses and taxis, and bought food from local shops.
“Even though they are only here for a short while, it has such a profound and lasting impact on the community.”
Meanwhile, Saturdays star Frankie Bridge has been named as the early favourite to be crowned the I’m a Celebrity champion.
Bookmakers Betfair and Ladbrokes are offering odds of 4/1 on the pop singer, who was also a member of S Club 8, being crowned Queen of the Castle.
The 32-year-old is taking part after her husband, former footballer Wayne, competed on the show in Australia in 2016.
Coronation Street actor Simon Gregson is in second place with both companies offering odds of 9/2 on him winning the forthcoming 2021 series.
It comes after ITV unveiled the names of the 10 famous faces heading to Gwrych Castle after signing up for the show.
Gregson and EastEnders star Adam Woodyatt have not been confirmed as competing, but are rumoured to be joining the cast to complete the usual 12-strong lineup.
Betfair spokesman Sam Rosbottom said: “With cat finally let out the bag last night as the contestants were formally announced, Frankie Bridge is the 4/1 favourite to win the I’m a Celebrity, five years after her husband Wayne starred on the show.”
Alex Apati, of Ladbrokes, added: “Frankie Bridge has said she can see herself quitting, but the odds tell a completely different story, with punters seemingly convinced at this point that she’s the one to beat.”
■ I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! starts on Sunday, November 21, at 9pm on ITV and ITV Hub.