Hywel Gwynfryn

Hywel Gwynfryn (born 13 July 1942 at Llangefni, Anglesey) is a Welsh TV,[1] and radio[2] personality and lyricist.[3] He started working for the BBC in 1964 and joined Radio Cymru at its inception.

Career

Gwynfryn 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.[4] In 1970 he joined Children's Programming and worked on documentaries from different parts of the world.[3]

He has been with the Welsh-language radio station Radio Cymru since its inception in 1977, fronting the flagship morning programme,[3] and presenting shows such as Hywel a Nia and Helo Bobol,[5] and reporting annually from the Eisteddfod. Alongside his radio career, Gwynfryn has also presented TV shows such as Heddiw and Rhaglen Hywel Gwynfryn, and in 1972, with Huw Ceredig, started a weekly Welsh disco called Noson Barbarella in Cardiff.[4] In 1990 he fronted On your bike, a TV programme, following the fortunes of Welsh families who had gone to live in other countries.[3]

Gwynfryn has also written four pantomimes, including Jiw Jiw Jeifin Jenkins, as well as writing a film for the Welsh-language TV station S4C.[5]

Personal life

Gwynfryn was born in Llangefni, Anglesey. He was educated at Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni and the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.[6] 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.[7][8] He also has two children from his first marriage.[9] As a student he was a roommate of Lynn Davies. [10]

Honours and awards

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.[11]

In September 2023, it was announced that Gwynfryn would receive the Outstanding Contribution Award at the 2023 BAFTA Cymru Awards the following month.[12]

References
  1. Chris Perry (2016). The Kaleidoscope British Christmas Television Guide 1937-2013. Lulu.com. p. 63. ISBN 978-1-900203-60-9.
  2. "BBC Radio Cymru, Cymru", Media UK
  3. "Hywel Gwynfryn". Welsh Stars. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  4. Hill, Sarah (2007). Blerwytirhwng?: The Place of Welsh Pop Music. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. pp. 61, 75. ISBN 978-0-7546-5898-6.
  5. "Hywel Gwynfryn". BBC Radio Cymru. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  6. Gwynfryn, Hywel (2004). Cyfres y Cewri 28: Dyn'I Hun,Y. Gwasg Gwynedd. ISBN 978-0860742050.
  7. "Announcing the passing of Anja Gwynfryn EVANS". Funeral Notices. 13 October 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  8. "Hywel Gwynfryn: Actio yn therapi ar ôl colli fy ngwraig". BBC Cymru Fyw. 18 December 2018.
  9. "Yr ifanc a ŵyr? Hywel Gwynfryn a Huw Evans". BBC Cymru Fyw. 3 March 2016.
  10. Gwynfryn, Hywel (2004). Cyfres y Cewri 28: Dyn'I Hun,Y. Gwasg Gwynedd. ISBN 978-0860742050.
  11. "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.
  12. "Hywel Gwynfryn to be honoured with Outstanding Contribution Award at forthcoming BAFTA Cymru Awards 2023". BAFTA. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
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