Saturday 26 July 2014

Welsh Soap Pobol y Cwm To Celebrate Its 40th Birthday

IT HAS launched the careers of a host of famous faces including giving Big Brother star, model and tabloid regular Imogen Thomas her acting debut.

The first episode of Pobol y Cwm was broadcast on 16th October 1974, and to mark its 40th birthday, some familiar faces will return to the village of  Cwmderi with shocking storylines that will knock some of the series' key characters sideways.

To mark Pobol y Cwm's historic milestone, the Clucker thought it would look back at some famous faces who have starred in the soap. 

We managed to uncover footage of Welsh stars Imogen Thomas (pic below) and Hollywood star Ioan Gruffudd who have both starred in the long-running show.



Former Miss Wales, Imogen, 31, a fluent Welsh speaker, made a cameo appearance in the soap back in 2006.

She made her acting debut, appearing as herself, when she was invited as a VIP guest at the opening of a car garage run by entrepreneur Ronald Steadman and his trophy wife Lucy.

Imogen said at the time: "It's great to be asked to appear on Pobol y Cwm. My family watch it, and I used to watch it when I was living at home."

Watch Imogen's acting debut in the clip below.



The soap also launched the career of Ioan Gruffudd, 40, who played Gareth Wyn Harries between 1987 and 1994.

Soon after, Ioan's acting career took off when he landed the lead role in the TV remake of Poldark in 1996. 

He went on to become Lancelot in King Arthur and Mr Fantastic in Hollywood superhero blockbuster Fantastic Four.

He is now playing Dr Henry Morgan, an immortal medical examiner, in up-coming American drama series Forever.You can see Ioan in Pobol y Cwm in the clip below.



Another famous face that is making waves in the world of showbiz is Alexandra Roach, who played troublesome teen Elin Owen. Her character Elin had an affair with the vicar in the soap.

Alexandra, 26, (pic below) from Ammanford, left the series in 2005 after being accepted to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and went on to to star in The Iron Lady as a young Margaret Thatcher.



She can currently be seen in the second series of Channel Four's conspiracy thriller Utopia.

Alexandra ended up landing the role in Pobol y Cwm after visiting a friend's house. 

She said:"I was about 11, and I just went over to my mate's house on a Saturday and knocked on her door to see if she wanted to come out and play.

"And she said she was going to a drama club with her sister, and did I want to go?

"So I went along, and that day they were doing an open casting for Pobol y Cwm.

"I'd never really acted before, and I just gave it a go and got the part. I think that's why I'm so comfortable on sets now, because of all the hours I put in as a child. "

As part of the 40th birthday celebrations, some lucky fans will get the chance to visit the Pobol y Cwm set in Roath Lock, Cardiff Bay.

Siân Gwynedd, Head of Welsh Programmes and Services, BBC Wales, said: “Pobol y Cwm has been an important and integral part of Welsh life since it first appeared in 1974. 

"During this time the series has entertained and fascinated viewers with compelling, emotional and memorable stories. 

"Thanks must go to the cast, writers and production crew who have ensured the series' success for so long, and to the current team who will lead the series to the next 40 years.”

Dafydd Rhys, S4C Content Commissioner, said: "It's hard to believe that four decades have passed since we met the Cwmderi characters for the first time. 

"From the early days of the channel Pobol y Cwm has claimed a prominent place in the S4C schedule as one of our major drama series, and it will continue to be at the heart of our future broadcasts. 

"Congratulations to all those who have been part of the production from the very beginning - forty years is quite an achievement. 

"This is an important milestone for broadcasting in Welsh and we look forward to birthday celebrations in the autumn."

Further events will be announced soon to celebrate the four decades of the series.

To keep up-to-date with all the latest showbiz and celeb gossip from Wales, follow the Weekly Clucker on Twitter @weeklyclucker. 














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