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Joel Leaver & Anna Lewis

Meet the couple teaching Ant and Dec Welsh for I'm a Celebrity

Meet the couple teaching And and Dec Welsh for I'm a Celebrity.

Welsh language advisors Garffild and Siân Eirian Lewis have been drafted in to make sure the presenters nail their pronunciation while the reality series airs from Abergele's Gwyrch Castle.

So far Ant and Dec have been heard to use phrases like 'nos da' on the show, impressing fans.

And this is due to the production's commitment to accurate and respectful pronunciations by using Welsh language experts, North Wales Live reports.

Garffild and Siân Eirian Lewis are the Welsh language consultants to I'm a Celebrity (Garffild and Siân Eirian Lewis)

Garffild and Siân, from Llangernyw near Abergele, have been involved in the show from an early stage, they revealed.

The language consultants have been supplying audio clips and phonetic instructions, which have focused on "a short list of key phrases and words" to be used on the show. These include Castell Gwrych (Gwrych Castle), Cymru (Wales) and Abergele as well as various greetings.

Th pair said they also emphasised that Welsh "has to be seen to be a living, fun language in an entertainment setting" - adding that the I'm a Celebrity team "have nailed that."

They said: "In other programmes we’ve had to endure various mis-pronunciations of [such words] but the I'm a Celebrity team has worked really hard to avoid these pitfalls.

"Bearing in mind they have to cope with a fast-moving programme in a 'live' situation, introducing Welsh words in a relaxed tone and with a smile on their faces must be a challenge."

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At the end of the first week in camp, Garffild and Siân said they were impressed with the show's "real respect for the language and culture".

They said ITV "wanted the 'tone' to be right," including avoiding any "stereotypes and tired jokes."

The consultants added: "Many millions of viewers in the UK and beyond are seeing and hearing some Welsh, but also getting to see some amazing views and landscapes and experiencing the very special appeal of Gwrych Castle and the surrounding area."

Garffild and Siân were asked if they had advice for viewers who may be wanting to learn the language but who are nervous about any backlash over mispronunciation.

They told North Wales Live: "Have a go. There's loads of help to be had online and using various apps. Get involved in your community, practise with your friends, don't be afraid of criticism."

Perhaps most importantly though, the pair encourage fans to "have fun learning the language".

And viewers have been told to keep their ears peeled for more Welsh words on episodes to come.

Garffild and Siân said: "We hope to keep introducing various Welsh words and phrases in a subtle way over the next couple of weeks."

The new series of I'm a Celebrity, filmed at Gwrych Castle, continues later tonight on ITV at 8.45pm.

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