15 July 2011

 Melanie shows star quality in her love4language

Actress Melanie Walters has won the S4C 2011 cariad@iaith:love4language title, beating off seven other dedicated celebrity learners.

In the final programme of S4C’s reality show cariad@iaith:love4language, broadcast live from the fforest camp in Cilgerran on Friday, 15 July, the Swansea actress was declared the winner.

Melanie, who starred in the hit drama series Gavin and Stacey, was voted by her fellow celebrity contestants and course tutors as the learner who had made the most effort during the week’s language challenge.

“I feel privileged to have won the title. This week has completely inspired me and I didn’t expect to feel this way. I did learn a fair bit of Welsh years ago and was surprised that so much of it had stayed in my subconscious. I would urge anyone who has started to learn Welsh to stick with it, it’s worth it.” said Melanie Walters, who is also a highly accomplished Pilates instructor.

The eight celebrities taking part in cariad@iaith:love4language have been staying at the eco-friendly chic campsite in Cilgerran, Pembrokeshire.

They have all been receiving intensive tuition every day from tutors Nia Parry and Ioan Talfryn, which have been captured on camera by production company Fflic TV.

Broadcaster and journalist Janet Street-Porter, who took part in the previous series of cariad@iaith back in 2004 made a surprise appearance to present the winner’s award.

The award, a beautiful stainless steel love spoon was hand crafted by artist and blacksmith Toby Petersen from Gelli Wen, near Meidrym, Carmarthen, who also designed the Dragon on the Royal Mail Stamp. A week-long Welsh course at Nant Gwrtheyrn Language Centre, Llŷn was also part of the prize.

Actress Josie d’Arby won second prize, and the award included a weekend at the five- star Holiday Village Bluestone in Pembrokeshire.

Josie d’Arby felt privileged to have won an award. “I’m absolutely delighted to have come second. The whole week has been an amazing experience. This week didn’t feel like a competition at all“- it felt like eight people working together to achieve a worthwhile aim, learning a beautiful language.”

The other six learners in fforest were former rugby player Colin Charvis, actress Helen Lederer, singer Rhys of GLC, presenter Mat t Johnson, singer Sophie Evans and politician Lembit Öpik.

Presenter and course tutor Nia Parry added: “They are all winners in my eyes. They have shown what is possible by achieving so much in one week. They are an inspiration to Welsh learners every where.”