Welsh heroes for St David's Day
Post categories: stories
|12:02 UK time, Friday, 26 February 2010
As Monday 1 March marks St David's Day, X-Ray has asked some famous faces who their modern-day Welsh heroes are and why they've been inspired by them.
Read on to find out who has been put forward and let us know whether you agree or disagree - or have suggestions of your own.
BBC Wales news presenter Claire Summers named Hollywood icon Sir Anthony Hopkins as her Welsh hero. The Oscar-winning, Port Talbot-born star is one of the most famous and distinguished actors to have heralded from Wales.
Another choice from the world of stage and screen came from actor Steffan Rhodri as he chose fellow Welsh actor Margaret John. Margaret's acting career spans nearly six decades and the two recently starred together in Gavin & Stacey.
Former First Minister of Wales Rhodri Morgan's choice was Henry Engelhardt, the Chief Executive Officer of Welsh-based insurance group Admiral, who is responsible for bringing thousands of jobs to Wales.
Writer Elaine Morgan was chosen by BBC Radio Wales presenter Roy Noble as his Welsh hero. The winner of two Bafta awards, she is recognised for her numerous television works and has published several books on evolutionary anthropology.
Sporting choices were put forward by BBC Wales presenter Jason Mohammed and rugby star and broadcaster Jonathan Davies.
Jonathan nominated Cliff Morgan as his modern-day Welsh hero. He won caps for Wales and the British and Irish Lions during his playing career, later turning his talents to broadcasting. He will always be remembered by rugby fans for his commentary on the legendary 1973 rugby match between the Barbarians and the All Blacks.
Jason meanwhile chose Newbridge boxing star Joe Calzaghe as his hero; the 'Pride of Wales' retired undefeated in 2009 having fought and won 46 contests.
And BBC Wales weatherman Derek Brockway told X-Ray that his Welsh hero is Falklands veteran Simon Weston, who was awarded an OBE for his tireless charitable work following his survival from the Sir Galahad in the conflict.
So, do you agree with any of the choices? Why not suggest someone you think is more worthy of our admiration by posting a comment below?
Comment number 1.
At 17:52 1st Mar 2010, And wrote:Agree with all the choices.
I can only add the obvious, such as Max Boyce, Dame Tanni Grey - Thompson, Phil Bennett, Gareth Edwards, Ruth Jones, Rob Brydon, Ryan Giggs, Katherine Jenkins...
Such a little nation and so many to choose from. It's good to be Welsh.
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Comment number 2.
At 20:02 1st Mar 2010, treorchygirl wrote:Shane Williams !!!
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Comment number 3.
At 20:02 1st Mar 2010, Claire wrote:It has to be Neil Jenkins and Nye Bevan surely!!
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Comment number 4.
At 20:06 1st Mar 2010, kimberley wrote:i nominate the welsh actress sian phillips she is world class
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Comment number 5.
At 20:07 1st Mar 2010, John1927 wrote:My choice would be Max Boyce how much more Welsh do you need.
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Comment number 6.
At 20:08 1st Mar 2010, alinorth wrote:My modern day hero is Ruth Jones she is a fantastic writer and actor.
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Comment number 7.
At 20:09 1st Mar 2010, jodie lou wrote:ryan giggs is a true welsh legend, he has put wales on the map with his world class ability. LEGEND
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Comment number 8.
At 20:12 1st Mar 2010, Rhys wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 9.
At 20:12 1st Mar 2010, Kryton wrote:My hero is Tanni Grey-Thompson - a wonderful athlete, a great representative for disabled people, and a lovely lady!
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Comment number 10.
At 20:13 1st Mar 2010, Martyn Davies wrote:The greatest living Welshman? I disregard sportspeople, politicians and anyone connected with show business. I therefore vote for Simon Weston, a man who, with great pain, was wrenched from the familiar world of South Wales and the Army into a world he never in his wildest dreams would have imagined - fame. He has the right kind of fame, working for good and not feathering his own nest. Had the tragedy of the Falklands not happened, there is every chance he would have ended up unknown, unloved and unemployed. He is a man.
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Comment number 11.
At 20:14 1st Mar 2010, roger wrote:Trevor Mc Garrigle is one name that is missing from this illustrious list, a true hero in our village and worldwide. Known for various appearances in hollywood blockbusters and his valiant work in youth clubs all over south Wales, he is loved by all.
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Comment number 12.
At 20:29 1st Mar 2010, scarletsfan wrote:Grav - Ray Gravell was the only true prince of wales from this century!
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Comment number 13.
At 20:30 1st Mar 2010, pixelwatch wrote:I admire the achievment of newsreader Hugh Edwards in becoming a regular news anchor man and has made the welsh accent respectable after the eighties thatcher era had unfairly poured scorn on the accent as a political weapon. Peter Hain later described this type of scorn as subliminal fascism
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Comment number 14.
At 20:32 1st Mar 2010, murphyboy2 wrote:I agree with Derek Brockway that Falklands Hero Simon Weston is my Welsh hero.
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Comment number 15.
At 20:48 1st Mar 2010, Angela wrote:Max Boyce would be my hero - his rugby anthems are absolutely splendid. Hymns and Arias live on!!
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Comment number 16.
At 21:42 1st Mar 2010, Paul Butt wrote:Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, I think that she's remarkable as to what people can really do if they want to. She has achieved fame and respect as a Sportswoman, Commentator, Personality, and now a newly member of the house of Lords representing I know Welsh People throughout Wales and also let's not forget Dame Tanni is a mother and wife also.
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Comment number 17.
At 22:27 1st Mar 2010, Eva Stevens wrote:To follow the footsteps that St David followed, I guess the present-day saint could be someone like Rev Glyn Jones, pastor at Llangollen Presbytarian Church of Wales and active with sports people and the community.
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Comment number 18.
At 23:40 1st Mar 2010, rhys ullah wrote:Gareth Edwards is my welsh hero. because he was an inspiration to welsh rugby and i believe made wales known for great passion and desire in a sport in which we love. with 3 grand slams and 5 triple crowns it just goes to show how much of an impact gareth edwards made not only to rugby but to our country.
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Comment number 19.
At 01:28 4th Mar 2010, Jonathan wrote:I would like to say that our mother Vera is our Welsh hero as she is kind,considerate and has always been there for us in our hour of need,a true mum in a million.
If this is read out on Mondays programme,could you also wish our parents Wyndham and Vera Lewis from Pontyberem a very happy 45th wedding anniversary for March 13th.
Diolch yn fawr/thank you very much
Jonathan and Jaci Lewis.
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Comment number 20.
At 20:17 7th Mar 2010, harry Davies wrote:Jonathan Davies. is the best commentator ever and is a true legend
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Comment number 21.
At 20:06 8th Mar 2010, Kita Williams wrote:My true Welsh hero would have to be my darling husband, Huw. He was so proud to be Welsh, told everyone he met about his heritage and his country, and we even lived in England for a while. He was passionate about all things to do with Wales, read avidly about Welsh saints, Welsh History, and cried every time he sang the National Anthem. Huw died in January and the world is a poorer place without him, but at least there is a bit more of Wales in heaven.
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Comment number 22.
At 20:33 8th Mar 2010, Peter Langley wrote:My Wesh hero is a local farmer Elgan James. With the help of his sister Edwina he runs a small dairy farm and has a few sheep and ponies. The amount of work he does to produce their living is amazing. If people knew the efforts needed to produce the milk we take for granted and the minute return these farmers achieve I think we all would hail such farmers as heroes.
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Comment number 23.
At 18:21 10th Mar 2010, Anthony Mocroft wrote:Welsh heroes for St David's Day
I think that honour should go to Margaret John, A true star of the stage & the small screen for many years.
Thinking outside the box
I would like to put forward two of the newest landmarks in Wales. Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, & also The Liberty Stadium in Swansea.
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