Welsh comedian and presenter Tudur Owen and Spanish and Welsh comedian, Ignacio Lopez were filmed at The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways for an episode of S4C’s ‘Iaith ar Daith’ (Language on Tour) series.
Each episode in the popular TV series follows a Welsh first language celebrity – this time Tudur – and a non-Welsh speaking celebrity as they try to ‘Dysgu Cymraeg’ (learn Welsh) in the programme.
For this episode, Ignacio, a regular on shows such as ‘Live at the Apollo’ and ‘Have I got News for You’, joined Tudur at the railway to spend a day stewarding on the Mountain Spirit Service from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog.
The pair were in the capable hands of staff member 18-year-old Mackenzie Diggons, in his second season on the staff at the railway. Mackenzie, who lives in nearby Criccieth, is first language Welsh and works and volunteers at the railway part time while studying engineering.
The celebrities were tasked with working with Mackenzie and speaking to passengers in Welsh, as they served customers from the trolley service in the first class Pullman carriage.
Mackenzie said:
“The two stars were really energetic and ready to get on with the job of stewarding. It was the first time for them trying to serve drinks on a moving train so that was quite funny.
“Ignacio got on very well speaking Welsh, it was like he was a pro at it. There were a few words he didn’t understand but easily enough he asked how to pronounce things. Otherwise he was very good at speaking Welsh and serving the customers.
“People pay a lot of money to go and see these comedians and today on the train I was paid to see them…here at work.”
This episode was aired on S4C on Sunday.
The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways is a member of MWT Cymru, an independent membership organisation representing around 550 tourism businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia.
