Ryan Reynolds' interpreter to receive Welsh honour

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's interpreter is to receive a top Welsh honour.

Broadcaster and journalist Maxine Hughes will be honoured by Gorsedd Cymru at this year's National Eisteddfod in Wrexham county.

Hughes, originally from Conwy, is well known for being the official Welsh interpreter and poking fun at the two Wrexham FC owners in television show Welcome to Wrexham.

The Gorsedd of the Bards is an association made up of people who have made a distinguished contribution to the Welsh nation, the language, and its culture.

Hughes, who previously worked for BBC News and now lives in Washington DC, flew out to Los Angeles and landed the part of the official Welsh interpreter for the television series.

She features in a video acting as a disgruntled interpreter who makes her opinion clear of Deadpool star Reynolds and McElhenney, who starred in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

She ignores what they say and then provides her own commentary on the pair in Welsh, as the subtitles reveal to the audience.

Also receiving a blue robe for services to the nation will be Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth.

Ap Iorwerth worked as a journalist and broadcaster for the BBC before being elected as a Senedd member for Anglesey in 2013.

Journalist and broadcaster Dewi Llwyd will also receive the honour at this year's festival.

Llwyd, from Bangor, has reported in Welsh on some of the biggest news stories in Wales and the world for nearly half a century.

He has been the face of S4C's election programmes and has presented the channel's main news programme along with the discussion show "Pawb a'i Farn" for many years.

Actor Mark Lewis Jones, from Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham, will also receive an honour.

He has appeared in series such as The Crown, Game of Thrones, and is also known for his roles in films such as "Star Wars: Episode VIII" and "The Far Side of the World".

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales' Breakfast, Jones described the news as a "massive honour" and "fantastic".

"I was in complete shock when I found out," he said.

"I've been keeping it a secret for a while, so I'm really glad it's finally out today."

Although he left Rhosllanerchrugog at 19 to move to Cardiff, Jones said the village had "always been home" as his family and closest friends still live there.

Jones also said he returned regularly over the years and felt a deep connection to the area, adding that it would be "so lovely" to go back and represent his hometown.

The actor credited a former teacher at Ysgol Morgan Llwyd in Wrexham for inspiring his career in the arts.

Jones said: "She completely changed my life when she asked me to be in a school play at around 16.

"I had absolutely no inclination to the arts, there's no connection to the arts in my family, so she gets full credit," he added.

Looking ahead, Jones said he's excited for what's to come.

"It's going to be a busy Eisteddfod, but I'm looking forward to it enormously.

"It means the world to me," Jones added.