A brand new series will see reality TV star Gemma Collins try and immerse herself in Welsh culture. In S4C's Hansh series, Mwy na Daffs a Taffs (More than Daffs a Taffs) which will be available to stream from March 2, we will see the The Only Way is Essex star take a stroll down Treorchy high street, meet her Welsh family and even storm out of the National Eisteddfod.
During an encounter with the Gorsedd of the Bards at the cultural festival, she described them as being "not very welcoming" and quickly left. However, she later apologised to the druids for her actions.
Perhaps many of us have seen a viral clip of the TOWIE star singing the iconic Dafydd Iwan song, Yma o Hyd, but it turns out that the GC got up to a lot more things during her visit to Wales last year. The Mwy na Daffs a Taffs series hopes to bring together some of the UK's most famous reality celebrities who have their own biases and assumptions about Wales, and try to immerse them in our culture to challenge the clichés.
Read more: 'I'm Welsh, yeah baby!' TOWIE star Gemma Collins gives WalesOnline a bizarre interview on WhatsApp
At the beginning of the episode, Gemma revealed what her original prejudices of Wales were. She said: "When I think of Wales, I only really know it for the valley life. Loads of sheep poo, loads of sheep and loads of coal, and obviously my family being there. But what I want to know, is there more to Wales?"
And presenter Miriam Isaac was determined to prove exactly that. During the programme, Miriam invited Gemma to visit the National Eisteddfod, which took place in Tregaron in Ceredigion last year.
The reality star got a glimpse of the festival's Maes (ground) as she was driven around in a buggy. "The only way is Tregaron, ain’t that right, mate?” she said to the buggy driver. "Arbennig. Spot on." he replied. After a quick stop at the Tango Ice Blast stall on the Eisteddfod ground, it seemed that the Big Brother star was ready to get stuck into some Welsh culture.
"Take me to the druids," she said. Later on, Gemma was taken behind the scenes to meet Gorsedd of the Bards (Gorsedd y Beirdd). As perhaps most of us know in Wales, the spectacular Gorsedd ceremonies are an integral part of the Eisteddfod festival. They have a long and interesting history dating back to the end of the 18th century.
The society consists of Welsh-language poets, writers, musicians and other individuals who have contributed to the language and to public life in Wales. As they are responsible for the main ceremonies held at the National Eisteddfod, Gemma got to see some of them just as they were about to start the Chairing of the Bard ceremony.
It seemed that Gemma was taken aback by their white-robed attire. She said: "Where do they live day to day? Normal houses in Wales?" she asked. Miriam replied: "Normal houses in Wales, not in castles or anything."
Although Miriam explained they wouldn't be able to talk in English as they would only speak Welsh at the Eisteddfod, Gemma said she felt they were "not very welcoming". She said: "They’re not very friendly." She added: "They’ve got issues, by the looks of it. They’re not very welcoming, I’ve got to be honest.
"I don’t feel very welcome here at all, mate, They’ve got attitude. Yeah, I really don’t want to do this. Nah, I’m bored, let’s go. It’s not for me. They’re really rude, I’m going."
Following Gemma's shocking departure, presenter Miriam was left dumbfounded. Miriam said: "I think she wanted to have a chat with some members of the Gorsedd. Obviously, they’re busy. They didn’t have much time to talk to her. So yeah, she isn’t very happy. They’ve got work to do and she’s got work to do. What can you do?"
It became apparent later on in the show however, that members of Yr Orsedd weren't allowed to talk at all ahead of the sacred ceremony, as Miriam revealed. Hearing of this revelation, Gemma said: "So sorry, druids! You wasn’t [sic] rude. I take it all back. I’m going to call my counsellor and tell her we don’t need to discuss the Welsh trip in therapy this week."
Despite the confusion with the druids, the Big Brother star seemed to enjoy her time in Wales. At one point of the show, in which she was joined by TikTok star Ellis Lloyd Jones, she got to taste test some Welsh cakes on Treorchy high street in Rhondda. She said: "My nan used to make them like this. That is bootiful [sic]. This is how my nan used to make them. I'm feeling a bit emotional".
The star also got to reunite with the Welsh side of her family in Abertillery. According to her family members, she used to visit the coal mining town frequently as a child. During the family reunion, she said: "I can remember as a young girl… what I remember it was everyone had their doors open. Anyone could have any food, anyone could have anything. If I asked you for the shirt off your own back, you would give it." She added: "Wales is one place where I come and never feel homesick."
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