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Hywel Gwynfryn

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Hywel Gwynfryn (born 13 July 1942) is a Welsh television and radio personality and lyricist.[1][self-published source][2] He started working for the BBC in 1964 and joined BBC Radio Cymru at its inception, being the first voice heard on the new station.

Career

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Gwynfryn was born at Llangefni, Anglesey. He joined the BBC as a presenter in 1964 and in October 1968, he fronted Helo Sut Dach Chi?, the first dedicated Welsh language pop programme on the radio. It was a daring innovation because there was little vocal pop music in Welsh at the time and the show sometimes needed to be padded out with Anglo-American instrumentals. Soon however, Gwynfryn was receiving demo tapes from across Wales, and introduced a "patter" of Welsh language pop slang in the show which appealed to younger listeners.[3] In 1970 he joined Children's Programming and worked on documentaries from different parts of the world.[2]

Gwynfryn has been with the Welsh-language radio station Radio Cymru since its inception in 1977, fronting the flagship morning programme and presenting shows such as Hywel a Nia and Helo Bobol,[4] as well as reporting annually from the Eisteddfod. Alongside his radio career, Gwynfryn has also presented television shows including Heddiw and Rhaglen Hywel Gwynfryn, and in 1972, with Huw Ceredig, started a weekly Welsh disco called Noson Barbarella in Cardiff.[3] In 1990 he fronted On your bike, a series following the fortunes of Welsh families who had gone to live in other countries.[2]

Gwynfryn has also written pantomimes, including Jiw Jiw Jeifin Jenkins, as well as a film for the Welsh-language television station S4C.[4]

Honours and awards

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In the 1980s, Gwynfryn refused appointment as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), explaining that "when I got the offer I had just been made a fellow of Bangor University and had been given the green uniform by the Orsedd, so I felt that I had been recognized by my country." He added that he did not believe broadcasters and journalists should receive such honours.[5]

In September 2023 it was announced that Gwynfryn would receive the Outstanding Contribution Award at the 2023 BAFTA Cymru Awards the following month.[6]

Personal life

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Gwynfryn was born in Llangefni, Anglesey. He was educated at Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni and the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.[7] As a student he was a roommate of Lynn Davies.[7]

Gwynfryn and his wife Anja had five children, one of whom is musician and broadcaster H. Hawkline; Anja died on 6 October 2018 from cancer.[8][9] He also has two children from his first marriage.[10]

References

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  1. ^ Chris Perry (2016). The Kaleidoscope British Christmas Television Guide 1937-2013. Lulu.com. p. 63. ISBN 978-1-900203-60-9.
  2. ^ a b c "Hywel Gwynfryn". Welsh Stars. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  3. ^ a b Hill, Sarah (2007). Blerwytirhwng?: The Place of Welsh Pop Music. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. pp. 61, 75. ISBN 978-0-7546-5898-6.
  4. ^ a b "Hywel Gwynfryn". BBC Radio Cymru. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  5. ^ "Anrhydeddau'r Frenhines: Diolch, ond dim diolch (The Queen's Honours: Thanks, but no thanks)". BBC News (in Welsh). 31 October 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Hywel Gwynfryn to be honoured with Outstanding Contribution Award at forthcoming BAFTA Cymru Awards 2023". BAFTA. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  7. ^ a b Gwynfryn, Hywel (2004). Cyfres y Cewri 28: Dyn'I Hun, Y. Gwasg Gwynedd. ISBN 978-0860742050.
  8. ^ "Announcing the passing of Anja Gwynfryn EVANS". Funeral Notices. 13 October 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  9. ^ "Hywel Gwynfryn: Actio yn therapi ar ôl colli fy ngwraig". BBC Cymru Fyw. 18 December 2018.
  10. ^ "Yr ifanc a ŵyr? Hywel Gwynfryn a Huw Evans". BBC Cymru Fyw. 3 March 2016.
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