Porthcawl of duty

Ruth Jones and Steve Speirs celebrate a second Welsh town

Ruth Jones and Steve Speirs are to celebrate the town of Porthcawl in their second BBC Wales tribute.

The new programme will follow the friends as they tour Ruth’s hometown - 20 miles from Barry, where Gavin & Stacey is set, and which is this year celebrating its 200th birthday

In the show, Jones will revisit the places of her childhood and share never-before-seen home movies from her early years as she talks about growing up next to the beach and reflects on family and friendship.

The new commission for BBC Cymru Wales follows the pair’s first outing, From Merthyr With Love, which aired earlier this year as part of a collection of programmes celebrating Merthyr Tydfil.

Jones said: ‘Two of my favourite things in one place: Porthcawl and Steve Speirs...double Bubble! I can't wait to show my dear friend all the best bits of my hometown and the history of this beautiful seaside oasis, catching up with my family and school mates in the process.

Speirs – star of the Welsh sitcom The Tuckers and known for playing Richard Burbage in Upstart Crow – added: ‘My great friend is going to take me on a trip around her hometown of Porthcawl.

'"I've been," I said "It's all about ice creams and donkey rides, isn't it?" Apparently I'm very wrong, and I can't wait to be shown the Porthcawl Ruth knows. But I'm definitely buying an ice cream.’

The programme – made by ITV Cymru Wales with producer and director Matthew Tune – will air towards the end of the year.