This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/8147651.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Sudden death of ex-soap actor, 43 | Sudden death of ex-soap actor, 43 |
| (1 day later) | |
| A former actor in Welsh-language soap Pobol y Cwm has died suddenly, aged 43. | A former actor in Welsh-language soap Pobol y Cwm has died suddenly, aged 43. |
| Geraint Owen, who played Pc Rod Phillips in the programme from 1991 to 1996, died on Saturday morning. | Geraint Owen, who played Pc Rod Phillips in the programme from 1991 to 1996, died on Saturday morning. |
| Mr Owen, the brother of BBC and S4C presenter Rhodri Owen, became ill at his partner's house in Swansea and was taken to Morriston Hospital. | |
| The actor, originally from Gowerton, Swansea, auditioned for the role of James Bond some years go, eventually losing out to current 007 Daniel Craig. | The actor, originally from Gowerton, Swansea, auditioned for the role of James Bond some years go, eventually losing out to current 007 Daniel Craig. |
| Mr Owen was also a former Plaid Cymru councillor for Neath Port Talbot and had stood in assembly and parliamentary elections. | Mr Owen was also a former Plaid Cymru councillor for Neath Port Talbot and had stood in assembly and parliamentary elections. |
| He also appeared in the 1980s S4C series Dinas and in the 2000 animated film about Jesus Christ, The Miracle Maker, starring Ralph Fiennes. | He also appeared in the 1980s S4C series Dinas and in the 2000 animated film about Jesus Christ, The Miracle Maker, starring Ralph Fiennes. |
| In his political career, Mr Owen stood against Welsh Secretary Peter Hain for the Neath seat in the 2005 general election. | In his political career, Mr Owen stood against Welsh Secretary Peter Hain for the Neath seat in the 2005 general election. |
| He represented the Bryncoch South ward for Neath Port Talbot (NPT) council for four years before stepping down last year because of ill-health. | He represented the Bryncoch South ward for Neath Port Talbot (NPT) council for four years before stepping down last year because of ill-health. |
| 'Sincere character' | 'Sincere character' |
| Dr Del Morgan, Plaid Cymru's NPT group leader, spoke of tremendous shock at hearing of Mr Owen's death. | Dr Del Morgan, Plaid Cymru's NPT group leader, spoke of tremendous shock at hearing of Mr Owen's death. |
| "It's such a loss," he told the BBC Wales News website. | "It's such a loss," he told the BBC Wales News website. |
| He said he had worked closely with Mr Owen in his bid to defeat Mr Hain at the last election. | He said he had worked closely with Mr Owen in his bid to defeat Mr Hain at the last election. |
| "He had tremendous energy and enthusiasm in that campaign. I was hopeful that at some point in the future we would have had him back. | "He had tremendous energy and enthusiasm in that campaign. I was hopeful that at some point in the future we would have had him back. |
| "He was always a very warm and sincere character and always pleasant. | "He was always a very warm and sincere character and always pleasant. |
| "He did provide a great boost for Plaid in the Neath area in his being involved with us. He will be sadly missed." | "He did provide a great boost for Plaid in the Neath area in his being involved with us. He will be sadly missed." |
| Pobol y Cwm senior producer Ynyr Williams said everyone associated with the soap was "very sad" to hear of Mr Owen's death. | Pobol y Cwm senior producer Ynyr Williams said everyone associated with the soap was "very sad" to hear of Mr Owen's death. |
| "Geraint played a central role in the series for years and staff at Pobol y Cwm have many fond memories of working with him," he said. | "Geraint played a central role in the series for years and staff at Pobol y Cwm have many fond memories of working with him," he said. |
| "Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time." | "Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time." |
| Mr Owen also worked as a drama lecturer at Neath College for eight years, until 2004. | Mr Owen also worked as a drama lecturer at Neath College for eight years, until 2004. |
| A spokeswoman said: "Geraint Owen was a respected member of staff of Neath Port Talbot College, where he had been a lecturer in the school of creative, visual and performing Arts." | A spokeswoman said: "Geraint Owen was a respected member of staff of Neath Port Talbot College, where he had been a lecturer in the school of creative, visual and performing Arts." |
| Ali Thomas, leader of Neath Port Talbot council said: "The council is deeply saddened to hear of the untimely death of former councillor Geraint Owen. | Ali Thomas, leader of Neath Port Talbot council said: "The council is deeply saddened to hear of the untimely death of former councillor Geraint Owen. |
| "We send our sincere condolences to his family at this difficult time." | "We send our sincere condolences to his family at this difficult time." |