WalesOnline's Sam Cook puts some of Wales' biggest stars in the spotlight, determining where they got their big break and struggles that they may have faced along the way. Brought to you by WalesOnline Reach plc
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In the Spotlight with Dan Swygart (Love Triangle)
19:17
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19:1728-year-old Dan Swygart, from Ruthin in north Wales, received a lot of online criticism after appearing on reality series I Am Shauna Rae last year. He will now appear on new E4 reality series Love Triangle - and here, he reveals his reason why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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The first two series of Belfast-based police drama Blue Lights have been a huge success. Series star Siân Brooke gives an exclusive interview with In the Spotlight host Sam Cook about her role, holidaying in Wales and appearing alongside Benedict Cumberbatch on stage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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A new BBC comedy series set in Wales about a 1970s PE teacher who has to navigate life in the modern world is released this week. Writer and star of Mammoth, Mike Bubbins, speaks to Sam Cook about why the series could have "easily gone wrong". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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David Howard and Rik Hall from Wales-based production company Monster Films worked with serial killer Charles Sobhraj on new Channel 4 documentary series The Real Serpent: Investigating a Serial Killer. Here they chat to host Sam Cook about what he was really like as a man. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In the Spotlight with Andrew Jenkins (The Traitors)
28:25
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28:25The Traitors: It’s the show that got everyone talking. Flying the flag high for Wales on the second series of the smash hit BBC series was 45-year-old insurance broker Andrew Jenkins, who has described life since the show began airing as “surreal”. Here, he chats with In the Spotlight host Sam Cook about the accident that changed his life forever, …
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Music mogul Pete Waterman chats to In the Spotlight host Sam Cook ahead of his new musical, I Should Be So Lucky. The record producer and songwriter reflects on his Pop Idol days, the current music scene and working with Kylie Minogue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Reach Plc
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Months before she won the prestigious Siân Phillips Award at this year's BAFTA Cymru, Welsh actress Rakie Ayola sat down with Sam Cook to discuss how growing up in Ely, Cardiff influenced her successful career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Reach Plc
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This Welsh actor you'll definitely recognise, he's been in Keeping Faith, Stella, Outlander and The Crown. We're lucky enough Mark Lewis Jones could squeeze us in to chat about his career, how he started out, the world of fan conventions and his upcoming attempt at the Tenby Iron Man challenge for charity, Head for Change. Learn more about your ad …
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Radio presenter Sian Eleri embraces the supernatural as she hosts BBC Three series Paranormal, which sees her explore one of Wales' most haunted houses. She chats to host Sam Cook here about her own experiences with ghosts and what she hopes people will take away from her new show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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Following his musical debut in Guys & Dolls, Welsh actor Owain Arthur shares an "out of body" experience he previously had when performing on stage. He also sums up the upcoming second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power in a single word! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In the Spotlight with Ian Puleston-Davies & Terri Dwyer
36:10
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36:10Former soap stars Ian Puleston-Davies (Coronation Street) and Terri Dwyer (Hollyoaks) have joined forces on a new film. Bolan's Shoes, which stars The Sixth Commandment's Timothy Spall, is set to release in cinemas this September but how did a dog walk on a beach lead to the film being made? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch…
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In the first episode of a new season of In the Spotlight, host Sam Cook sits down with The Central Club Podcast's Cullan Mais. For Cullan the last few years have been a rollercoaster, rising up from the lowest point in his life after a battle with heroin addiction. Here he chats about the origin of his highly successful podcast and where he sees hi…
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In the Spotlight with Jonny Owen & Vicky McClure
38:17
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38:17Merthyr filmmaker, columnist and all-round good egg, Jonny Owen and his other half, Vicky McClure - star of Line of Duty, Trigger Point and My Grandad's War - join us on In the Spotlight next to discuss their recent honorary doctorate and MBE as well as putting rumours of buying Merthyr Town, to bed, will Jonny actually go and see Barbie and the se…
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Life has been busy for Anna Thomas following her Sean Lock Comedy Award nomination and the release of her BBC short film, Lady Bigfoot. The Welsh comedian discusses these things and her introduction to comedy in this episode of In the Spotlight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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The last few months have been somewhat of a whirlwind for TV chef Colleen Ramsey, who chats to In the Spotlight during filming of the second series of her S4C cookery show Bywyd a Bwyd. In this interview she opens up about everything from her foodie beginnings to her husband Aaron's return to Cardiff City F.C. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi…
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In 2019 Bethzienna's dreams came true when she sang with one of her heroes, Sir Tom Jones, on The Voice UK. After coming third in the competition, she's now set to perform alongside the Welsh legend once again on his tour - Eve Rowlands chats to her ahead of the gig. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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To most people he'll best be known for playing loveable (yet dim) Neil Sutherland but now, actor Blake Harrison is taking on roles that are a far cry from Channel 4 comedy series The Inbetweeners. Ahead of the return of BBC's World on Fire, Blake talks to In the Spotlight host Sam Cook about his career and challenges he's faced over the years. Lear…
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You may not know his name but if you’re on TikTok (or any other social media platform for that matter) then you may have come across Ellis Lloyd Jones’ hilarious videos. The 25-year-old, who was born in Treorchy, talks to In the Spotlight host Sam Cook ahead performing at Welsh language festival Tafwyl. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap…
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In 2021 Merthyr Tydfil bricklayer Liam Reardon couldn't believe his luck when he won ITV2 reality show Love Island with girlfriend Millie Court. A year later the couple split but in recent months, there have been rumours that Liam and Millie are back together. The 23-year-old opens up about his relationship status and his new business venture in th…
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Cardiff-born actor Dino Fetscher is certainly one to watch. Following an Olivier-nominated performance in The Normal Heart he'll next star in season 2 of Apple TV+'s Foundation - but why was acting always the career for him and which famous writer does he say he admires? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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Ahead of The Alarm's upcoming gig at Cardiff Castle, lead singer Mike Peters opens up about the band's beginnings, his love of Wales and how his life has changed since being diagnosed with cancer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Reach Plc
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In 2006 Connie Fisher's dreams came true when she won BBC reality show How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? and subsequently played the Julie Andrews role on the West End. But how has life changed for her since then? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Reach Plc
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2010 was a life-changing year for actress and singer Sophie Evans. After coming in second place on BBC reality show Over the Rainbow, her career really started to take off and she landed various roles across stage and screen but where does she things going next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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Stereophonics frontman Kelly Jones discusses his new band Far From Saints ahead of the release of their debut album. The band, which he created with Patty Lynn and Dwight Baker, are set to perform with Sir Tom Jones at Cardiff Castle this summer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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Downton Abbey's Tom Cullen reveals how he went from being thrown out of drama school to landing a role in one of television's biggest dramas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Reach Plc
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Huw Stephens holds the record for being the youngest ever radio presenter on BBC Radio 1. In this episode of In the Spotlight he talks about how he landed the coveted role and established one of Cardiff's biggest musical festivals, and why he thinks that people's perception of the Welsh language is changing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit …
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Actor and founder of production company CowHouse Films Alexander Vlahos opens up about being diagnosed with ADHD. He also discusses his career beginnings and what's next for him in an industry that he's been working in since he was 14. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Reach Plc
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Comedian, actor and presenter Jack Whitehall talks about going back on tour with his new show, Settle Down. He also discusses whether he'd be up for a Fresh Meat reunion and living in the 'shadow' of his father. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Reach Plc
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Welsh actress Kimberley Nixon discusses her friendship with her Fresh Meat co-stars, entrance into the acting industry and what life has been like for her as a mother. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Reach Plc
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Welsh actor and co-founder of Swansea's Grand Ambition Richard Mylan talks how his experience with addition inspired his new play, Sorter. He also discusses his family life and what he truly thinks of the BBC revival of Waterloo Road. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Reach Plc
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Singer and 2007 runner-up of The X Factor, Rhydian, chats to Sam Cook about why he has decided to retire from recording music. He reflects on turning 40 and what his relationship was like with former manager, Simon Cowell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Reach Plc
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A weatherman, drummer and TV/radio presenter, is there anything Owain Wyn Evans can't do? The new BBC Radio 2 host chats to Sam Cook about his fast-growing career and troubles that he's faced along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Reach Plc
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