Iolo Williams reveals career highlight in new BBC series
The well-known wildlife presenter and naturalist is exploring four river valleys across Wales in the new series.
He will be travelling from sea to source, uncovering the hidden stories and natural wonders of the Rheidol Valley, the Dyfi Valley, the Conwy Valley, and the Vale of Clwyd.
Throughout the series, Iolo is met with sightings of rare birds and elusive mammals, including the UK's smallest bird of prey, a merlin, and a rare glimpse of a pine marten.
However, his most significant encounter is with a wild beaver in the Dyfi Valley, which he describes as his career highlight.
Iolo said: "The real big moment was when I saw my first ever wild beaver in Wales.
"This was a real highlight, not just of the series, but of my 27 years working within TV.
"I'll be honest, nobody knows where the beaver has come from, they've been there for about two years, possibly three and it's quite well known locally.
"But I'm absolutely delighted because this is an animal that we should have back in the wild."
His new series, Iolo's River Valleys, is a four-part BBC Cymru Wales production, which started on BBC Two, BBC One Wales, and iPlayer on Tuesday, May 6.
The series was produced and directed by Osian Griffiths, with John Gwyn as the executive producer.
Iolo also expressed his fascination with the river valleys of Wales, stating: "People moan that it rains a lot in Wales, but it's because of that rain that we have such stunning river valleys, streams and waterfalls.
"Each and every one of them has a different character and each and every one of them is beautiful from source down to sea."
He also shared his excitement about seeing a pine marten in daylight, another significant moment in his wildlife watching career.
He said: "Such a beautiful animal.
"I've seen one before in Wales but only at night, so to be sat in the hide in daylight just watching a pine marten is enthralling.
"It's one of the highlights of my wildlife watching career, and I've been watching wildlife for 55 years.
"I've achieved a childhood ambition."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
a day ago
- Scotsman
The Gone cast: who is in series 2 and which actors are new?
The Gone series 2 will start on BBC Two this evening 📺 Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Gone returns for a second season tonight (July 31). Theo Richter and DS Diana Huia are back. But who are the new faces in Mt Affinity this season? The Gone is back as viewers are invited to take another trip to Mt Affinity. BBC Two will once again be broadcasting the episodes as they make their UK debut. The thriller is a New Zealand-Irish drama. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But who is in the cast and what can you expect? Here's all you need to know: When is The Gone on TV? The Gone series 2 starts on July 31 | BBC The second season of the crime thriller will return to BBC Two this evening. The first episode is set to begin at 9pm today (July 31) with the second following tomorrow (August 1) at the same time. What to expect from The Gone tonight? The preview for the first episode of The Gone season two, via Radio Times , reads: 'When journalist Aileen Ryan goes missing, Irish detective Theo Richter and Kiwi detective Diana Huia are compelled to remain in the small town of Mt Affinity in New Zealand and lead the search. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'After discovering Aileen went missing while chasing a lead on the town's historical Mountain Murders, the detectives enter a game of cat and mouse with the Goatman.' Who is in the cast of The Gone? The show is back for its second series as viewers are transported back to the small New Zealand town of Mt Affinity. The cast includes: Richard Flood as Theo Richter Acushla-Tara Kupe as DS Diana Huia Carolyn Bracken as Aileen Ryan Vanessa Rare as Wiki Huia Scott Wills as Bruce Harris Wayne Hapi as Buster Huia Rachel Morgan as Sinead Martin Ella Gilbert as Valerie Armstrong Michelle Fairley as Judge Hannah Martin Simon Mead as Ronan Garvey Manu Bennett as Tamati Davidson Poroaki Merritt-McDonald as Ginge Which actors are new for season 2 of The Gone? For the return to Mt Affinity, The Gone has added a number of new faces. It includes: Daya Tumua-Sao-Mafiti as Oliver Jones Darren Young as Officer Jacobs Caleb Armstrong as Derry Jr. Géraldine Creff as French Tourist Renee Sheridan as Sharyn Anna-Maree Thomas as Officer Reid John Leigh as Vaughan Phil Brown as Ross Maley KC Michael Koloi as Corrections Officer Acacia O'Connor as German Tourist Where do you know The Gone cast from? Richard Flood plays the Irish detective Theo Richter in both seasons of the crime thriller. He played Dr. Cormac Hayes in Grey's Anatomy from 2019 to 2022. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He was also Ford in the American remake of Shameless - alongside the likes of Jeremy Allen White, William H. Macy, Emmy Rossum and Justin Chatwin. You may have also seen him in the Irish soap opera Red Rock. Michelle Fairley, who plays Judge Martin, famously played Caitlyn Stark in HBO's Game of Thrones. She has also had a lead role in the Sky show Gangs of London, appearing in all three seasons so far, and also had a part in Netflix's Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Scotsman
The Gone cast: who is in series 2 and which actors are new?
The Gone series 2 will start on BBC Two this evening 📺 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Gone returns for a second season tonight (July 31). Theo Richter and DS Diana Huia are back. But who are the new faces in Mt Affinity this season? The Gone is back as viewers are invited to take another trip to Mt Affinity. BBC Two will once again be broadcasting the episodes as they make their UK debut. The thriller is a New Zealand-Irish drama. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But who is in the cast and what can you expect? Here's all you need to know: When is The Gone on TV? The Gone series 2 starts on July 31 | BBC The second season of the crime thriller will return to BBC Two this evening. The first episode is set to begin at 9pm today (July 31) with the second following tomorrow (August 1) at the same time. What to expect from The Gone tonight? The preview for the first episode of The Gone season two, via Radio Times , reads: 'When journalist Aileen Ryan goes missing, Irish detective Theo Richter and Kiwi detective Diana Huia are compelled to remain in the small town of Mt Affinity in New Zealand and lead the search. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'After discovering Aileen went missing while chasing a lead on the town's historical Mountain Murders, the detectives enter a game of cat and mouse with the Goatman.' Who is in the cast of The Gone? The show is back for its second series as viewers are transported back to the small New Zealand town of Mt Affinity. The cast includes: Richard Flood as Theo Richter Acushla-Tara Kupe as DS Diana Huia Carolyn Bracken as Aileen Ryan Vanessa Rare as Wiki Huia Scott Wills as Bruce Harris Wayne Hapi as Buster Huia Rachel Morgan as Sinead Martin Ella Gilbert as Valerie Armstrong Michelle Fairley as Judge Hannah Martin Simon Mead as Ronan Garvey Manu Bennett as Tamati Davidson Poroaki Merritt-McDonald as Ginge Which actors are new for season 2 of The Gone? For the return to Mt Affinity, The Gone has added a number of new faces. It includes: Daya Tumua-Sao-Mafiti as Oliver Jones Darren Young as Officer Jacobs Caleb Armstrong as Derry Jr. Géraldine Creff as French Tourist Renee Sheridan as Sharyn Anna-Maree Thomas as Officer Reid John Leigh as Vaughan Phil Brown as Ross Maley KC Michael Koloi as Corrections Officer Acacia O'Connor as German Tourist Where do you know The Gone cast from? Richard Flood plays the Irish detective Theo Richter in both seasons of the crime thriller. He played Dr. Cormac Hayes in Grey's Anatomy from 2019 to 2022. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He was also Ford in the American remake of Shameless - alongside the likes of Jeremy Allen White, William H. Macy, Emmy Rossum and Justin Chatwin. You may have also seen him in the Irish soap opera Red Rock. Michelle Fairley, who plays Judge Martin, famously played Caitlyn Stark in HBO's Game of Thrones. She has also had a lead role in the Sky show Gangs of London, appearing in all three seasons so far, and also had a part in Netflix's Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. If you love TV, check out our Screen Babble podcast to get the latest in TV and film.
Leader Live
7 days ago
- Leader Live
Five-figure grant paves way for Welsh Camino enhancements
Plans to enhance the North Wales Pilgrims Way, known as 'The Welsh Camino,' have received a boost following the grant, worth £78,000, from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. A Pilgrimage Development Project Lead will now be appointed to explore, in the words of a spokesperson for the Diocese of St Asaph, the "potential for growth" in the number of people walking the 130-mile route. This could include providing suitable pilgrim accommodation as well as transport links. Possible means of promoting the Welsh language, culture, and heritage will also be considered. The route passes historic churches, sacred wells, and other sites of spiritual significance. It begins at Basingwerk Abbey, near St Winifred's Well in Holywell, and ends in Aberdaron across the Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island). The route passes landmarks such as St Asaph Cathedral, the ancient Yew Tree at Llangernyw, Aber Falls, Eryri, and the Llŷn Peninsula. The Diocese of St Asaph, which has been awarded the funding, will employ the new project lead. Sarah Wheat, engagement officer for the Diocese of St Asaph, said: "There has been a significant rise in interest in the experience of pilgrimage, with many people keen to undertake The Welsh Camino. "Yet there is little in the way of infrastructure, such as accommodation for pilgrims along the route or public transport. "We'd like to explore how local churches could assist with offering shelter and hospitality to pilgrims, and consider how we can showcase more of Wales' heritage, culture, language, and spirituality. "By bringing together local churches, businesses, accommodation providers, and key stakeholders, we think we can improve the pilgrimage and tourist experience and attract much-needed investment into the area." The North Wales Pilgrims Way was launched in 2011 by volunteers. The route was recently featured in the US travel magazine Afar, which named it "one of the best underrated places in the world to visit in 2025." Last year, it was also featured in the BBC Two programme, Pilgrimage, which followed a group of celebrity pilgrims on the journey. READ MORE: Seaside town on Anglesey one of Europe's best hidden gems More information about BBC Two's Pilgrimage is available at More information about the project lead role is available on the Diocese of St Asaph website at and the North Wales Pilgrims Way website at The Diocese of St Asaph is one of the six dioceses of the Church in Wales, an independent province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
