Indigo Jones

Nine-year-old Albie-Junior Thomas from Holywell, Flintshire, became the youngest known amputee to complete the Three Peaks challenge, climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Yr Wyddfa in 22 hours and 30 minutes. Born with fibula hemimelia, he had his left foot amputated at 15 months and learned to walk confidently with a prosthetic limb by age two. His father Daniel has submitted the achievement to Guinness World Records, while Albie-Junior—who previously became the youngest amputee to climb Snowdon—continues to pursue a goal of competing for Team GB at the Paralympics. The challenge also raised more than £3,000 for Holywell Town Football Club.

Matthew Rhys describes voicing Han Solo in Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd, the first Welsh-language adaptation of Star Wars: A New Hope, as surreal and occasionally difficult because familiar dialogue had to be translated into unfamiliar Welsh terms. Produced by Lucasfilm and Disney with S4C, the Welsh Government and Creative Wales, the film is scheduled to air on S4C on Christmas Day. The cast includes Rhys Ifans, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Mark Lewis Jones and Osian Morgan. Rhys also discusses his admiration for Welsh acting icons David Niven and Richard Burton.

Love Island USA stars Yamen Sanders and Zac Woodworth visited Welsh contestant Ciaran Davies in Cardiff after meeting him on Love Island All Stars. During their trip, they explored Cardiff, ate at local venues, learned Welsh phrases and visited the beach. Sanders said he had not realised Wales was a separate country from England until Davies told him, while both Americans appeared to enjoy the visit and expressed interest in returning.

Stacey Solomon will join Alan Carr’s new “Wild Cards” detective team for the eighth series of ITV’s The Masked Singer in 2027. The team will compete against the existing panel—Davina McCall, Mo Gilligan, Maya Jama and Jonathan Ross, who will be known as the “Legends”—to identify the celebrities hidden behind the costumes. ITV has not yet revealed the remaining Wild Cards panellists. The series will air on ITV1 and ITVX.

The Great British Food Festival will take place at Margam Country Park in Neath Port Talbot from August 29 to 31, featuring chef demonstrations, street food, live music, children’s entertainment, foraging walks, masterclasses and dog-friendly activities. Welsh chef Matt Waldron will headline the demonstrations. Adult tickets start at £14.75, children’s tickets at £7, and a family ticket costs £34.75, with parking included; VIP upgrades and additional experiences are also available. Organizers Danny and Janine Maycock expect the revamped event format to offer a wide range of activities for families and food enthusiasts.

Welsh actor Owen Teale is returning as Chief Constable Osborne in the seventh series of BBC crime drama Line of Duty, which has begun production and is expected to air in 2027. Teale, who appeared in the first and sixth series, described reuniting with the cast as “a dream come true” and praised writer Jed Mercurio. The new season will also feature guest lead Robert Carlyle alongside newcomers Laura Aikman, Levi Brown and Amy Leigh Hickman.

Hundreds of fans gathered in Swansea for Bonnie Tyler's funeral at Swansea Minster, with many watching the service on a nearby big screen. Family, friends and invited guests attended a ceremony featuring her songs, tributes, prayers, hymns and a performance by Only Men Aloud. The funeral procession later travelled through Tyler's hometown of Skewen, where locals cheered, threw flowers and paid tribute to the Welsh singer, who was also known as Gaynor Sullivan.

Carpenter Alex Burman from Bridgend, known online as The Valley Viking, is competing alongside professional sand sculptor Rémy Hoggard in the BBC series Race Against the Tide. Filmed at West Sands Beach in St Andrews during unusually hot weather, the competition required teams to build large sculptures while racing against the incoming tide. Burman said his experience as a carpenter and business owner helped him cope with the physical demands and pressure, while his Welsh upbringing inspired references to Welsh and Viking heritage in his work. He described the production as the hardest thing he has done but hopes the programme will encourage families to try sand sculpting. The series will be available on BBC iPlayer from August 17 and on BBC Two from August 18.

Jordan Ellis from Beddau developed psychosis, depression and anxiety while at university, was sectioned for his wellbeing and later gained weight amid a prolonged mental-health struggle, reaching 22.3 stone. In 2025 he changed his lifestyle by walking, playing football, cutting out bread and Pepsi Max, and later joining a gym. He lost nine stone, now weighs 13 stone, runs half marathons and says he feels more confident and mentally stronger. Ellis hopes to encourage others through his online fitness journey and plans to run the London Marathon for Sarcoma UK in memory of a friend’s daughter.

Michael Sheen’s two-part BBC documentary Buried with Michael Sheen investigates allegations that toxic PCBs were dumped across Wales and north-west England. The project grew from the work of whistleblower Douglas Gowan, whom Sheen interviewed shortly before his death, and was developed with journalists Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor. Sheen describes feeling responsible for exposing risks to communities and becoming paranoid about carrying contamination home. Councils dispute that some sites meet the legal definition of contaminated land, while Natural Resources Wales says previous investigations at Brofiscin Quarry did not justify further action. Sheen argues that responsibility and funding must extend beyond local councils to national and international authorities because the companies and individuals allegedly responsible have avoided accountability.

Comedian Lee Ridley, known as Lost Voice Guy and the 2018 Britain's Got Talent winner, criticized Cardiff's lack of accessible taxi availability after performing at the Glee Club in Cardiff Bay. He said five taxi companies were unable to help, forcing him to take his chances at a taxi rank to avoid missing his train. Ridley argued that accessible transport is essential for disabled people's independence and vowed to continue highlighting the problem.

Indigo Jones recounts five highlights from the 2026 National Eisteddfod in Llantwd: meeting international Welsh speakers, visiting the LGBTQ+ Mas ar y Maes venue, hearing S4C announce the return of Sali Mali and Welsh-language dubbing of Star Wars, watching Super Furry Animals perform at Maes B, and engaging with journalists and journalism students. The festival’s 850th anniversary, linked to Lord Rhys’s 1176 Eisteddfod at Cardigan Castle, is portrayed as combining historic traditions with a more inclusive and modern Welsh identity. A public debate also addressed rural West Wales concerns including second homes, school closures, healthcare and arts funding.

Harriet Cowan, a Derbyshire farmer who became known through Amazon Prime Video’s Clarkson's Farm, is expanding her career beyond the show. After launching the Harriet on the Farm YouTube channel in 2025, she is releasing Life on the Farm on September 10, describing farming traditions, daily life, the challenges facing British farmers and the importance of buying locally. Cowan has also spoken about the overwhelming impact of sudden fame and her wish to retain her connection to the Young Farmers community.

S4C has announced a Welsh-language dub of Star Wars: A New Hope, titled Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd, produced with Lucasfilm, Disney, the Welsh Government and Creative Wales. It will air on S4C and its platforms from Christmas Day 2026, ahead of the film’s 50th anniversary. The cast includes Matthew Rhys as Han Solo, Rhys Ifans as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Aimee-Ffion Edwards as Princess Leia and Mark Lewis Jones as Darth Vader, alongside numerous other Welsh performers. The project is intended to promote the Welsh language and showcase Welsh acting talent internationally.

Welsh presenter Alex Jones has reflected on her first appearance on BBC’s The One Show in 2010 as the programme prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary with a week of special episodes. Jones recalled that she once felt too scared to discuss her ambition of becoming a national television presenter because few people from South Wales became broadcasters. She said she is proud both to still be hosting the show and of its continued relevance and strong ratings.

A free tribute event titled “Simply the Best – A Tribute to Bonnie Tyler” will take place at Oystermouth Castle in Swansea on August 16 as part of Mumbles Retro Weekend. Local musicians will perform Tyler’s hits, with the event organised by Retro.Wales. The report also outlines the schedule for Tyler’s return to Mumbles and Skewen, a public celebration of her life at Swansea Minster on August 17, and her family’s request for memorial donations to Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales or Cerebral Palsy Cymru.

A set of seven Beatrix Potter-themed 50p coins is listed on eBay for more than £40,000, despite having a face value of £3.50. Gold proof versions, including Peter Rabbit and the 150th Anniversary coins, are typically valued by dealers at £1,800–£2,200, while standard proof and uncirculated versions usually sell for much less. Coin value depends on rarity, condition, demand and minting errors, but experts and the Royal Mint warn that online asking prices are not reliable evidence of market value and recommend checking completed sales or obtaining a professional valuation.

S4C will bring Sali Mali back for a new live-action series in 2027, marking the character's first live-action return in more than two decades. A casting search for a new actress has begun at the National Eisteddfod near Cardigan. The character originated in Mary Vaughan Jones's 1969 children's books, was previously played by Rebecca Harries, and remains a significant part of Welsh-language children's culture. S4C executives expect the revival to appeal both to former viewers who are now parents and to a new generation of children.

The BBC psychological thriller The Rapture, adapted from Liz Jensen’s eco-thriller and filmed in Wales, follows a teenager accused of murdering her mother who claims she can predict catastrophes. Its depiction of a 40°C heatwave has taken on added resonance amid unusually high temperatures in Wales. Lead actor India Amarteifio says the series connects climate anxiety and extreme weather without becoming preachy, while Ruth Madeley and Iwan Rheon describe filming in intense heat around Port Talbot and other Welsh locations.

Two Swansea mothers say their sons, who have sensory needs and developmental conditions, were prevented from using Playzone Llansamlet after staff enforced a requirement that all users wear socks. Nicole Owen said her autistic seven-year-old son Bleu could not tolerate socks, while Tammy McDaid said her five-year-old son Tate, who has Sanfilippo syndrome Type A, was similarly refused entry. Both mothers called for more inclusive approaches, such as designated sessions or waivers. Playzone Swansea said the policy has existed since 1997, applies to every child and adult, and is required by health, safety, insurance and legal obligations. The centre said it accommodates additional needs where safe and reasonable but cannot make exceptions to the sock rule.

Welsh artist Kevin Sinnott has died at his home in Pont-y-rhyl in the Garw Valley at the age of 78. His four children announced his death, prompting tributes that praised his generosity, wit, energy and dedication to his work. Born in Sarn, Sinnott studied at several art colleges, including the Royal College of Art, and became known internationally for colourful, contemporary depictions of Welsh life. His work is held in major public and private collections, including those of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the British Museum and the National Museums and Galleries of Wales. Celf Gallery in Cardiff will turn his scheduled September exhibition into a tribute to his legacy.

Verdi's cafe in Mumbles, Swansea, was badly damaged by an overnight fire that was contained to the kitchen and toilet area but caused extensive smoke, water and roof damage. The cafe's owners, the Hole family, said they were devastated and would work to reopen during the busy summer season, although the repair timeline is unclear. Regular customers expressed sadness at the closure. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended shortly after 2am, and the cause of the fire remains unknown.

Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu will appear together on Channel 4's returning series Celebrity Hunted, going on the run for 14 days to raise funds for Stand Up To Cancer. The Strictly Come Dancing colleagues said the physically and emotionally demanding experience led to relentless arguments, including a dispute over whether Carlos should buy carrot cake while Amy feared they might be caught on CCTV. Despite the strain, they said the experience ultimately strengthened their friendship and left them feeling like family.

Guy Ritchie's Young Sherlock has been renewed for a second season on Amazon Prime Video after attracting 45 million viewers and receiving an 84% Rotten Tomatoes approval rating. New regulars include Olivia Williams, Sophie Skelton, Indira Varma and Aidan Gillen, while Dónal Finn, Natascha McElhone, Max Irons and Holly Cattle are returning. Joseph Fiennes, Colin Firth, Zine Tseng and Numan Acar will not reprise their roles.

Welsh presenter Jason Mohammad will compete in the first week of BBC Celebrity MasterChef 2026. The Cardiff-born 52-year-old, known for BBC Radio Wales and Final Score, says his enthusiasm for feeding people and memories of family meals inspired him to participate. He describes making Sunday dinners and a “banging chicken curry” at home. Mohammad will compete alongside Emily Campbell, Shakira Khan, Joe Pasquale and Jay McGuiness, while the BBC has yet to announce the series premiere date. Former Wales rugby captain Alun Wyn Jones reached the previous final, which was won by Ginger Johnson.

Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu will compete as a pair in the upcoming Channel 4 series of Celebrity Hunted, going on the run across mainland Britain for 14 days to raise funds for Stand Up To Cancer. The celebrity line-up also includes Brian Conley and his daughter Lucy, Love Island personalities Chris Taylor and Toby Aromolaran, JJ Chalmers, Sophie Morgan, Scarlette and Stuart Douglas, and comedians Jen Brister and Laura Smythe. The series begins on Channel 4 on 3 August at 9pm, with Ray Howard leading the team of police and security professionals pursuing the contestants.

Cardiff Castle will host four Depot Live concerts from July 30 to August 2, featuring Biffy Clyro, The Streets, the Sex Pistols with Frank Carter, and Two Door Cinema Club. The guide lists support acts, gate and performance times, entry deadlines, road-closure information, banned items, access arrangements, ticket availability and nearby parking. Biffy Clyro and Two Door Cinema Club are sold out, while limited or resale tickets remain available for some other performances.

Swansea tattoo artist Bethan Jones provides free areola tattoos to breast cancer survivors and people who have undergone preventative mastectomies, working with the NIP charity. After her mother became seriously ill, Jones trained in the specialist technique and has since completed more than 100 procedures at Highwater Gallery. Clients Sam Maunder, Caroline Harry and Tracey Dowler describe how the tattoos helped restore confidence and a sense of identity after cancer treatment, surgery and reconstruction. Jones has also raised funds and awareness for Coppafeel through a 100-kilometre Jurassic Coast trek.

BBC's five-part psychological thriller The Rapture, set and filmed in Wales, follows forensic psychologist Gabs Fox as she investigates Bethany Krall, a 17-year-old accused of murdering her mother. Bethany claims innocence and says she can predict disasters through prophetic visions, while her father Leonard leads the influential Faith Way spiritual movement. Adapted from Liz Jensen's bestselling eco-thriller by Bryony Kimmings and Rebecca Manley, the series explores climate anxiety, corruption, spiritual belief and crisis. It stars Ruth Madeley and India Amarteifio and airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

The BBC psychological thriller The Rapture was filmed across south Wales, including Port Talbot, Swansea, Pontypridd, Porthcawl and Margam Park. Stars Ruth Madeley, Iwan Rheon and India Amarteifio praised Wales’s varied landscapes and its growing appeal as a filming location, while Madeley and Rheon highlighted the unexpected difficulty of working in unusually hot temperatures of around 33–35°C in Port Talbot. Amarteifio also emphasized the production’s focus on celebrating and protecting the planet, saying Wales’s scenery suited the show’s themes.

The BBC psychological thriller The Rapture, based on Liz Jensen’s novel, was filmed across South Wales and is scheduled to air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Locations include Maesteg Town Hall, Margam Park, Swansea’s Kardomah Café and Guildhall, Aberavon Beach, National Lido Wales in Pontypridd, and several additional sites in Porthcawl, Bridgend, Cardiff and the surrounding area. Cast members praised Wales for its varied scenery, which provides settings ranging from seaside towns and forests to historic ruins.

Cardiff-born singer Marged Siôn became emotional while performing with Self Esteem at Cardiff Castle, telling her mother, “I made it,” while holding a Welsh flag. Siôn said returning to Cardiff and being celebrated for qualities she had once been criticized for was deeply healing. Self Esteem, the stage name of Rebecca Lucy Taylor, also spoke Welsh on stage after learning phrases with Siôn and using Duolingo, delighting the audience.

Depot Live at Cardiff Castle is praised as a joyful, multigenerational festival combining nostalgic performances from the Sugababes and The Wombats with activities for children and entertainment throughout the day. Ben Ellis, the resident DJs and the headline acts kept the crowd engaged, while British Sign Language interpreters provided notable accessibility. The main drawbacks were high on-site prices and occasional clashes between stage music and other activities, but the overall experience was strongly positive and the festival is recommended for future attendees.

The profile traces Celyn Jones's journey from a film-obsessed child in Holyhead to an award-winning actor, writer, producer and director. Encouraged by schoolteacher Helen Whibley and supported by his parents, Jones trained in drama before earning early television roles, including in Channel 4's Shackleton. He later wrote, produced and starred in Set Fire to the Stars, founded Mad as Birds Films and expanded into directing. His portrayal of serial killer Levi Bellfield in ITV's Manhunt won a BAFTA Cymru award, while his directorial debut Madfabulous has attracted strong cinema audiences and international distribution. Jones argues that Welsh filmmaking is experiencing a lasting movement rather than a temporary moment and wants Wales to produce globally ambitious stories, including projects made with Welsh crews and casts.

Iwan Rheon explains that seeing his father play St David at St Davids Cathedral when he was a child helped spark his interest in acting, while Matthew Rhys's performance in House of America later reinforced his ambitions. Rheon discusses returning to Wales to play washed-up investigative journalist Dick Carwyn in the BBC thriller The Rapture, filmed largely in Port Talbot, and welcomes the opportunity to take on a lighter role. He also reflects on past work with Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi, his ongoing Welsh projects, songwriting and forthcoming EP, and his young son's emerging interest in acting.

The Wales Airshow returned to Swansea Bay for a two-day free event, drawing large crowds to watch aircraft including the RAF Tutor, Spitfire, Apache, Typhoon and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Visitors praised the atmosphere and displays, while families and local reporters provided live updates from the beachfront. The event caused severe congestion and multiple road closures around Swansea, and the Red Arrows were absent because they were performing in the United States. Evening Afterburn displays and fireworks were scheduled to conclude the day.

Depot in the Castle returns to Cardiff Castle on July 25, 2026, featuring headliners The Wombats and Sugababes alongside acts including Red Rum Club, The Mariachis and Afro Cluster. Festivalgoers must enter by 6pm, as late arrivals will be refused entry. Tickets remain available from £56.65 for general admission and £144.20 for premium viewing.

Road closures and parking restrictions will affect Swansea from Friday, July 24, through Monday, July 27, to support safety and traffic management during the Wales Airshow. Oystermouth Road, Mumbles Road, Pantycelyn Road, Nicander Parade and Guildhall Road South will be closed or restricted in phases, with diversions and emergency access maintained. Event car parks, online and on-the-day parking, and a £10 park-and-ride service from Fabian Way will be available, although visitors are warned to expect congestion.

A new BBC psychological thriller, The Rapture, adapted from Liz Jensen’s novel, will debut on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on July 26. Filmed across South Wales, the series stars India Amarteifio, Ruth Madeley, Iwan Rheon and Ruth Jones, following a teenager convicted of killing her mother who claims to predict disasters. Producers and BBC executives describe the drama as a powerful, climate-linked, female-led story featuring a strong ensemble cast.

Adam Garcia discusses returning to Wales for the UK and Ireland tour of The Bodyguard, reflecting on his past experiences in Cardiff including a lively night at Coyote Ugly. He describes the challenges of portraying Frank Farmer and avoiding influence from the original film while praising co-star Sidonie Smith’s demanding vocal performance. Garcia highlights his connection to Wales, his admiration for local audiences, and his excitement for upcoming performances, including future tour dates for his dance show Emerald Storm.

ONS birth registration data shows Olivia remained the most popular girls’ name in Wales in 2025, followed by Lily, Elsie and Mali. Several Welsh names, including Mali, Alys, Anwen, Eira and Eleri, ranked within the top 100. Olivia has dominated the top spot for most years since the 2000s, aside from a brief drop to second place in 2023. The rankings reflect exact spellings recorded at birth registration.

ONS birth registration data shows Noah remained the most popular boys’ name in Wales in 2025, far ahead of Luca, Theo and Arthur. Muhammad topped the combined England and Wales list but ranked 34th in Wales. Several traditional Welsh names, including Osian, Macsen, Harri and Jac, also placed in the top 30.

New birth registration data from the Office for National Statistics identifies Olivia as the most popular girls' name and Noah as the most popular boys' name in Wales in 2025, with full rankings provided for both genders based on exact spellings recorded at birth.

Martin Lewis highlights a Santander bank-switching deal offering £180 in cash and a £45 Amazon voucher, with additional benefits such as cashback on bills and high‑interest savings options. Eligible customers must open a qualifying account, complete a full switch, pay in at least £1,500 and set up two household direct debits. A linked Regular Saver deposit is also required for the Amazon voucher. Higher‑tier accounts offer alternative rewards, including a £150 hotel voucher.

Kaleb Cooper married long-term partner Taya Wilkinson in a lavish Cotswolds ceremony attended by Jeremy Clarkson and Gymshark founder Ben Francis. Cooper arrived in a £250,000 McLaren before the couple posed for photos with the supercar and Cooper’s tractor. The celebration featured premium catering, floral design and a marquee reception. The wedding follows revelations from the latest series of Clarkson’s Farm, including Jeremy Clarkson’s prostate cancer remission and the birth of Cooper’s third child.