Stella and Gavin & Stacey star Ruth Jones will bring a new sitcom to BBC Radio Wales next year.
Jones will write and star in Splott, with the first of six parts airing in February 2018. The comedy is set in the Cardiff district of the same name.
Splott follows Mandy Ferhat (Jones), a school cook and single mum to live-at-home daughter Cherstey. With her “bonkers neighbour” Val and “serial-killer obsessed colleague” Kathleen she seeks peace, romance and happiness. But none of this comes her way without a fight.
“Let’s be honest, who can’t help but love the name Splott,” said Ruth Jones.
“A name made more loveable by the fact that it’s a real place nestled in the heart of Wales’s capital. I’m so excited to be playing a strong gutsy Cardiffian in what I hope is going to be a refreshingly daft and silly sitcom on Radio Wales.”
DJ Janice Long, currently hosting Summer Nights on the station, will become a permanent fixture in the evening schedule from September. The new show will provide a platform for Welsh artists and include live sessions from big names.
Janice Long hosted a late night programme on BBC Radio 2 for sixteen years, until After Midnight was replaced with repeats and curated playlists in January.
Colin Paterson, Editor of Radio Wales, says: “Ruth is one of the biggest comedy talents of her generation; I couldn’t be more pleased that she has agreed to work with Radio Wales. And welcoming Janice in as a permanent part of the existing line-up shows we’re serious about bringing our audience the biggest names.”
In other changes, Wales Today presenter Lucy Owen is the first host of Sunday Morning with…, featuring a mix of topical content, conversation and music. Another new show, playing classic hits from the 60s and 70s, will follow with Owen Money.
Friday Night Social will round-up the local, national and international sport news with features and chat from September. The Call Rob Phillips phone-in continues on Saturdays, as well as coverage of Cardiff City, Swansea City, Wrexham FC and Newport County games.