ACTOR Mark Lewis Jones has won the ultimate prize at yesterday's BAFTA Cymru Awards as this year's Sian Phillips Award recipient.

On Sunday evening (October 20), the actor from Rhos, Wrexham, who has appeared in critically-acclaimed films and television dramas during his 38-year acting career, accepted the Siân Phillips Award.

Mark’s many appearances include Welsh dramas Stella, Keeping Faith, and Dal y Mellt, the first Welsh language series to feature on Netflix.

He is also known for globally recognised programmes The Crown, Gangs of London and Baby Reindeer. He is one of the stars of BBC drama Men Up, nominated in six categories at this year’s BAFTA Cymru Awards.

In his acceptance speech, Mark said: "I want to thank my parents for never, ever questioning my choice to do something that was completely foreign to them."

Mark is the 18th recipient of the prestigious award, sharing the title with fellow recipients including actress Rakie Ayola, director Euros Lyn, actor Rhys Ifans, writer Russell T Davies, actor Michael Sheen, actor Ioan Gruffudd and writer/actress/producer Ruth Jones.

Previously speaking to BAFTA Cymru, Mark said: “I am delighted to be honoured with this award, diolch BAFTA Cymru.

"I was born and bred in Rhosllanerchrugog near Wrexham and come from a family with no connection to the arts or creative industries but I was very fortunate to receive opportunities and support, for which I am very grateful. I fear that a young Mark Lewis Jones might not get the same opportunities that I did.

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“I feel especially honoured to receive this award in the name of someone who has shown such courage and tenacity throughout her extraordinary career and hope dearly that I will be able to use this platform to help and inspire others to realise their dreams.”

The awards show celebrated incredible talent across the industry in Wales. Winners included; NCUTI GATWA Doctor Who for Best Actor,  ANNES ELWY Bariau for Best Actress, and JANIS PUGH Chuck Chuck Baby for Breakthrough. See all winners on the BAFTA Cymru website.

A huge congratulations from everyone in Wrexham to Martin Lewis Jones.