A CHILD actor from Llanrug is one of two talented youngsters playing mischievous twins with secret powers in a hit TV show.

Gwern Jones, 11, has joined Lowri Jarman, 10, from Llanuwchllyn near Bala, in taking on the roles of Deian a Loli for the new series on S4C.

Extra screenings had to be put on to accommodate the huge demand for tickets for premieres of the programme made by Cwmni Da for S4C’s children’s platform, Cyw.

Packed-out preview shows were held in Bethesda, Aberystwyth, Carmarthen and Cardiff, as well as an extra showing at the Pontio Centre in Bangor after the first three sold out in just 10 minutes.

Speaking on his new found fame, Gwern, a pupil of Ysgol Llanrug, said: “I was very nervous to start with because I hadn’t done anything like that before but once I did it I enjoyed every minute.

“It’s a lot of fun because I go to places in the world that I thought I would never visit."

Gwern’s mum, Saran Jones, added: “This is the first professional acting that he has done and he’s had a wonderful time.

"The crew at Cwmni Da have been brilliant and he’s had fun every day he filmed with them. He’s taken to it like a duck to water."

The first two series of Deian a Loli established the show as a firm favourite with Welsh youngsters and their parents.

As the original Deian a Loli, played by Erin Gwilym and Moi Hallam, were growing up, producers decided to recast the roles for the show’s latest outing.

Gwern and Lowri were chosen from 600 children who auditioned.

By saying the magic word, Ribidirew!, Deian and Loli are able to freeze their parents while they go off on fantastic adventures.

Producer Angharad Elen was thrilled with the “overwhelmingly positive response” at all the venues.

She revealed the show is proving popular with TV critics across the UK and is shortlisted in the category for the Best Pre-School Children’s Programme at the Broadcast Awards.

It is going up against three of the biggest names in children’s television, Disney Junior, CBeebies and Nick Jr.

Angharad revealed she was inspired to create the Deian a Loli series by her own children, Cain, seven, and Syfi, five.

“I felt a bit guilty leaving them every day to go to work so I wanted to create something for them,” she said.

“Deian and Loli are mischievous but they learn something each episode. The popularity of the premieres has been staggering.

“Deian a Loli mania is sweeping across Wales.”

Delyth Robyns, from Llangefni, attended a premiere with daughter Lowri Mair.

She said: “Lowri loves the fact that they can freeze mum and dad and that they’re mischievous!"