24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
A-List actor names Welsh town one of his favourite in the world
A-List actor names Welsh town one of his favourite in the world
Damian Lewis calls himself a local as he shares his love for Llandeilo and urges people to attend the literature festival taking place there this weekend
Actor Damian Lewis with his late wife Helen McCrory
Ahead of Llandeilo's annual literature festival, A-List actor Damian Lewis has shared his love for the Carmarthenshire town on social media. The weekend festival celebrates the written and spoken word with an exciting Welsh and English language line-up held across the town.
The actor encouraged social media users to attend the event, which is happening this weekend, Friday, April 25, to Sunday, April 27, and to enjoy the Welsh writers and musicians gathering in Llandeilo town centre over the three days.
In the video posted to Llandeilo Literary Festival's social media, he starts by saying: "Hi, it's Damian Lewis here. I am a local in Carmarthenshire near Llandeilo which is one of my favourite towns in the world." For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter .
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Despite being born in England, Damian Lewis does have Welsh roots on his father's side. His father is 100% Welsh and his paternal grandparents were Welsh too, in fact he says he considers himself "London Welsh".
The actor has previously said of this: 'I'm quite romantic about my Celtic roots. And although I went to school in England, grew up in London, we've always been made aware of Welsh roots by dad, who's been very keen to stay in touch with his Welshness, even though he can't speak more than five words of Welsh… It's 'London Welsh', I guess!'
In 2013 Damian even told The Independent that he supported the Welsh rugby team in that year's Six Nations. He cited the reason for this as 'brainwashing as a child."
The actor has starred in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood alongside Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio, as well as many popular TV series like Band of Brothers and more recently Billions.
After sharing his love of the town of Llandeilo, he went on to discuss their upcoming annual literary festival.
In the video he continued: "Llandeilo is now the proud host of one of the great literary festivals in South Wales.
"There's some fabulous headlining Welsh writers. It celebrates Welsh literature, Welsh music too, there are now musicians, there's kids fest as well. Get down to Llandeilo in Carmarthenshire."
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The festival began in 2016 when a group of local authors got together and organised a book fair in Llandeilo's Civic Hall.
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Nine years later, this year's festival is said to be the biggest yet as it brings together a diverse and exciting line-up of authors, poets, playwrights, storytellers, artists, politicians, and musicians. They'll be holding events in both Welsh and English, as well as thought-provoking talks, interactive creative workshops, and a dedicated children's festival.
Along with the video they said: "Wise words from Llandeilo local and renowned actor Damian Lewis. Proud to be considered one of the great literary festivals in South Wales."
