Famous Sons & Daughters

The Valleys are the heart and soul of Wales and many a famous Welsh face hails from these parts too.

You need look no further than the worlds of literature, fashion, music or comedy to find a celebrity or two that took their first breath in the Valleys of South Wales.

Our most famous son is of course The Voice himself – Mister Tom Jones. While he can call the Rhondda Valley the green, green grass of home, he’s certainly not the only one.

Other great songsters with Valleys blood in their veins include the likes of the Manic Street Preachers, the Stereophonics, Petula Clark and Donny Osmond. Even Kylie’s mum’s family were from the Maesteg area of Bridgend.

Some of the greatest actors to have ever tread the boards began their art in south Wales. Examples include Richard Burton who came from Pontrhydyfen, Sir Anthony Hopkins from Taibach, Sir Stanley Baker from Ferndale and Ioan Gruffudd – our own Hollywood heartthrob courtesy of Aberdare.

Our sporting heritage is equally prestigious with some great rugby legends, including the likes of Neil Jenkins, emanating from these parts. One of the greatest boxing champions of all time, Joe Calzaghe, is also a local boy.

And we lay claim to many a funny man too. The great gift that was Tommy Cooper came from Caerphilly and many years on, the town on the mountain side is still smiling in his memory.

We are a proud bunch here in the Valleys and are thrilled that our offspring entering the world of fashion and design have taken the Wales to the glitziest corners of the world. Merthyr Tydfil alone has produced the legendary Laura Ashley and genius of Julien Macdonald.