Ruth and Steve: From Merthyr With Love is heading to BBC Wales as part of the broadcaster’s tribute to Cyfarthfa Castle’s bicentennial—with Ruth Jones joining Steve Speirs on a nostalgic, homegrown road trip through Merthyr Tydfil.
The hour-long special, produced by ITV Wales and commissioned by Nick Andrews, head of commissioning for BBC Wales, sees the two longtime friends reconnect through local history, childhood landmarks, and a few dodgy karaoke numbers.
It’s a personal one for Speirs, who brings Jones back to the town where he grew up—once dubbed the “iron capital of the world”—for a weekend that’s part heritage deep dive, part comedy travelogue. Stops include the iconic viaduct, the Troedyrhiw bowls club, and Bike Park Wales, with a detour for steam train rides and a makeover at a Merthyr salon before a night out at Merthyr Labour Club.
The special ties into BBC Wales’ broader slate of commemorative content around Cyfarthfa Castle’s 200th anniversary. While the airdate is still under wraps, the project is positioned as a feel-good, one-and-done event.
