Some of Wales’ most shining talents will have a platform to perform in the S4C Christmas schedule this Christmas.
The Channel has unveiled its Christmas schedule, with talents such as Bryn Terfel, Rhydian Roberts, Only Men Aloud, Côr Glanaethwy and Shân Cothi shining brightly in a highly entertaining festive line-up.
One of the big broadcasting events will be the Cyngerdd Mawr Talent Gymru (The Big Welsh Talent Concert, 27 December) when performers who have made their mark on talent programmes will show us why they shone.
The show provides highlights of the concert from Cardiff International Arena when Alex Jones presents Only Men Aloud, Côr Glanaethwy, Rhydian Roberts, Mark Evans, Tara Bethan, Sophie Evans, Laura Sutton, Shaheen Jafargholi, Jukebox Juniors, Eclipse and Starburst among others.
The concert is one of a number of musical highlights this Christmas which will also feature shows with bass-baritone Bryn Terfel (24 December), soprano Shân Cothi (25 December) and tenor Wynne Evans (Gio Compario) in the Carolau o Langollen carol concert from Llangollen Pavilion.
Arwel Ellis Owen, S4C Chief Executive said: “Wales is a country full of creative talents who help promote Wales all over the world. As a leading public service broadcaster in Wales, we will celebrate Welsh talent this Christmas. Thanks to the talent we have here in Wales, S4C can provide drama, entertainment, sport, documentary and children’s programming of the highest order over the festive period.”
Comedy will be at the heart of the schedule with comedian Tudur Owen lined up for Christmas Day in Sioe Dolig Tudur Owen (25 December). The 40 top moments of cult comedy series C’mon Midffild as chosen by viewers and a specially chosen panel is revealed in 40 Uchaf C’mon Midffild (24-25 December).
Two new films will be premiered, a detective film and a comedy drama. The sequel to the popular comedy drama Ar y Tracs is set for broadcast on New Year’s Day. Ar Y Tracs: Y Trên i’r Gêm (On the Tracks: The Train to the Game) will again feature Ruth Jones in a star-lit cast.
The charismatic detective Gari Tryfan will be back for his second film, Gari Tryfan a’r Drych i’r Gorffennol (Gari Tryfan and the Mirror to the Past, 29 December) with Richard Elfyn, Huw Rees and Catherine Ayres in the starring roles.
Eight celebrities, including ex footballer Malcolm Allen, actor Julian Lewis Jones and singer Aled Hall, feel the heat of the kitchen in chef Dudley Newbery’s cooking challenge over a three-part series Dudley: Pryd o Sêr (December 21, 23, 28).
There will be special Christmas editions of drama series Pobol y Cwm, Rownd a Rownd and Ista’nbwl and family drama Teulu continues over the festive period. S4C has lined up special Christmas editions of entertainment series such as Jonathan, Noson Lawen and Gofod, music showcase Bandit, gardening lifestyle show Byw yn yr Ardd, angling series Sgota and Victorian remake Byw yn ôl y Llyfr.
Alex Jones returns to travel series Tocyn Penwythnos as she, Aled Samuel and two families sample the delights of Lapland and Lapland UK.
S4C provides a sackful of children’s programmes on the pre-school service Cyw with the premiere of Christmas show Sioe Nadolig Cyw and festive programmes are being offered for the first time on the new children’s service Stwnsh!
S4C’s sport service will include two big rugby derbies, Ospreys v Scarlets (26 December) and Scarlets v Dragons (1 January).
