Accurate portrait of life in Valleys (From Penarth Times)

Accurate portrait of life in Valleys

PENARTH-based Belonging star William Thomas has revealed that the inspiration for his role in the hit BBC One Wales drama came from a radio series.

William, 57, is a familiar face on screen and TV, having starred in films such as Twin Town, with Rhys Ifans, and the long-running soap Pobol y Cwm.

But it is as Belonging's Will James that most viewers will have come to recognise him.

William says he found the inspiration for his role in a character called Mike, in the BBC Radio Wales production Station Road. Both characters share the same experiences of life in a Welsh Valley, possessing a similar strength and sense of ambition.

And although these characters do not directly reflect William, he told the Times: "Like any performance, the building blocks are drawn from own experience, from living and from relationships with people."

Abandoned by his first wife, falling for his close friend, Babs, then falling for her friend and marrying in a Las Vegas chapel - life has been colourful for William's Belonging character.

The popular actor has great praise and enthusiasm for the cast and crew and he says that the best thing about the series is its similarity to Valley life.

"Someone recently said to me it's like watching a documentary, which I regarded as a huge compliment."

Of the show's witty and memorable scripts, he says: "Scenes are what you make them. All are quite special and memorable, with very funny dialogue."

William has lived in Penarth with his wife, also an actor, for the past five years and enjoys keeping fit by running and regular visits to the gym.

Alongside his acting career, William enjoys going to the cinema and is a huge fan of the legendary Robert DeNiro.

William, who trained at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama, is currently working on the BBC Two Wales comedy drama Graft with Fast Show star Simon Day.