Welsh stars oppose S4C budget cuts

A group of Welsh stars, including The One Show presenter Alex Jones and actor Ioan Gruffudd, have written to the government objecting to rumoured budget cuts at Welsh-language broadcaster S4C.

Singer Katherine Jenkins, actor Matthew Rhys and former Blue Peter presenter Gethin Jones have all signed a letter sent to culture secretary Jeremy Hunt protesting against the expected reduction in S4C's budget, reports The Guardian.

"Our careers all began, or were given a substantial boost by, involvement in productions commissioned by S4C," the letter states.

"S4C has a great pedigree in commissioning programming which is not only of benefit to Welsh speakers but, through subtitling and dubbing, audiences further afield, bringing in money to UK plc as well as providing opportunities for new local talent."

The letter adds: "S4C is not another bureaucratic quango, but a serious organisation which both has and can continue to be the cornerstone of culture and creativity in Wales."

S4C is rumoured to be facing a cut of up to 24% to its annual £101 million grant when the government unveils the outcome of its spending review next month.