Village hall date for star Ifans

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He is more used to starring on screen with the likes of Hugh Grant and Daniel Craig, but actor Rhys Ifans has taken on a different, lower-profile role.

The actor is touring village halls and golf clubs in his native Wales as singer for a new band called The Peth.

It is also a break from the limelight for Ifans, who has become a paparazzi favourite since his recent relationship with actress Sienna Miller.

His musical past includes being in an early line-up of Super Furry Animals.

As The Peth (Peth means "thing" in Welsh) prepare for the launch of their album, Ifans has reunited with the Super Furries' drummer in the new band.

In a far cry from the showbiz red carpet, Ifans has performed at Portmeirion in Gwynedd, will play at Bala Golf Club on Thursday, and Llanerfyl Village Hall near Welshpool, Powys, the following night.

The star, who is from Ruthin in Denbighshire, found fame as Hugh Grant's scruffy housemate Spike in Notting Hill, and has become one of the UK's most recognisable film faces.

He has appeared in the Hollywood comedy Little Nicky, Twin Town and more recently Elizabeth - The Golden Age.

Their driver is from London and he's not used to driving in the sticks of Wales... and we're at the top of a very steep hill, so we'll see how he does Rhys Jones, Bala Golf Club

He also won praise for his role as a disturbed character opposite James Bond star Daniel Craig in Enduring Love, and playing the late comedian Peter Cook in Not Only But Also.

The Peth's Portmeirion show was a sell-out and Rhys Jones, secretary of Bala Golf Club, said they were expecting more of the same.

"We've sold out," he said. "Rhys Ifans is a definite draw and tickets were £10, which a lot of people have said is very cheap.

Red hot phone

"The phone here has been red hot this morning from people wanting tickets.

"We are allowed 130 people here and we could have filled four times that."

He added: "We've had names like Bryn Fôn and Dafydd Iwan here before, but never a Hollywood star.

"The bar should do well. I hope the roof is still on the club tomorrow morning.

"The band are due to arrive later on a tour bus, but their driver is from London and he's not used to driving in the sticks of Wales.

"And we're at the top of a very steep hill, so we'll see how he does."

The band will travel on to south Wales and then London before their album The Golden Mile is launched in September.