A brand new series of Iaith ar Daith kicks off in the coming weeks and there is a host of faces taking part this time such as Joanna Scanlan (The Thick of It) and Steve Backshall (Deadly 60).

Just like the first series one celeb and one Welsh-speaking mentor who is also a well-known face, travel to different areas of Wales in order to learn a little bit more of the language – and there will be several challenges along the way.

Joining Steve on his trip is naturalist and Springwatch presenter Iolo Williams.

Steve Backshall: “Since I was knee-high, I’ve been smitten with Wales. It has wildness, it has history, it has wildlife, it has incredible coastlines. Wales has been such a huge part of my life but I don’t speak a single word of the language and that’s wrong. Now is my opportunity to set that straight.

(Picture: S4C)

Taking part this series are 6 new faces, each with a well known mentor, with a different reason for learning Welsh.

Steve Backshall – The adventurer and presenter of nature programmes including Deadly 60 and Blue Planet Live. He is also a guest lecturer at University of Wales, Bangor. 

Joanna Scanlan – Joanna is a familiar face thanks to roles in a number of popular television series and films including The Thick of It, No Offence, Bridget Jones’s Baby and Notes on a Scandal, along with Welsh series, Stella and The Accident. 

James Hook – Former Wales international rugby player. 

Kiri Pritchard McLean – Comedian and writer who  has won several awards for her work and is a familiar face on panel shows including Have I Got News for You and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 

(Picture: S4C)

Chris Coleman – Former manager of the Wales international football team. 

Rakie Ayola – An actor who has worked in film, television and theatre including Holby City, Silent Witness and Shetland.

There will be several challenges along the way too – how good is Steve Backshall at flower-arranging? Can Kiri get to grips with playing the drums? And how does Joanne get on with giving Shani the dog a bath in Carmarthen?

Iaith ar Daith begins on Sunday, 7 March at 8.00 on S4C with Steve and Iolo journey.

So come and join Steve, Joanna, James, Kiri, Chris, Rakie and their mentors – the laughter, the tears, the challenges as they begin on their unforgettable journey to learn Welsh.