Wrexham owners went the extra mile to convince Celebrity Traitors star to do them a huge favour
A Celebrity Traitors star was given the VIP treatment by Championship club Wrexham’s Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac after being asked to fulfill a special request
Wrexham co-owners Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds rolled out the red carpet for Charlotte Church(Image: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Celebrity Traitors contestant Charlotte Church is well-versed in surprising TV moments, having made an unexpected appearance in the Welcome to Wrexham documentary.
The Disney+ programme, which follows Wrexham AFC’s journey under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, has proved very popular since first airing in August 2022. The series has cast a global spotlight on the Wrexham community, elevating local personalities such as Wayne Jones, who runs the Turf pub, to stardom.
Several established celebrities have also appeared throughout, with Welsh singer Church featuring in the docuseries’ first season. Church, who is among 19 stars participating in the BBC’s Celebrity Traitors, played a key role in an episode celebrating Welsh heritage and culture.
She delivered rousing performances of ‘Men of Harlech’ and the Welsh national anthem ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’ to conclude the show. The 39-year-old has previously disclosed how her involvement happened after Deadpool actor Reynolds arranged for her and her three children to fly to America, despite the pair never having met previously.
Church commended how Wrexham’s fortunes have been transformed by Reynolds and Mac, as well as the welcome they gave to her family.
Speaking to Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett on the Dish podcast, she said: “He [Reynolds] flew me and my kids out to New York because they were doing the show about Wrexham, and I went and I sang the national anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.
Charlotte Church featured in the first series of the hit documentary Welcome To Wrexham (Image: Disney+)
“The kids were like, ‘it’s Ryan Reynolds, we have to go.’ So I was like, ‘I’m a working mum, unfortunately you’re going to have to bring all three of my children out,’ and they were like, ‘yeah, sure, fine.’
“They got to meet him and Rob McElhenney and they were delicious. They were so kind and they’re so lovely. I think what they’re doing for Wales – in terms of Wrexham and stuff – it’s really genuine.
“Unfortunately the way that Wales has been portrayed for such a long time is like we’re the poor relation and a lot of people talk about us by taking the p***, but actually, it feels really uplifting. They’re doing it with a lot of care and integrity, I think.”
Charlotte Church delivered a rousing performance of the Welsh national anthem on Welcome To Wrexham(Image: Disney+)
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Welcome to Wrexham is back on Disney+ for a fourth season. Fans can watch the series with a £4.99 monthly plan, or get 12 months for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront.
Welcome to Wrexham recently wrapped up its fourth series and has secured multiple Creative Arts Emmy awards. A spin-off programme centred on Mexican football side Club Necaxa, in which Reynolds, Mac and Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria have invested, started in August.
Several other clubs have taken inspiration from Wrexham’s approach, including Championship rivals Birmingham City, who count NFL icon Tom Brady as a minority stakeholder. Their series, Built in Birmingham: Brady and The Blues, also premiered in August on Prime Video.
In addition to highlighting the club, the Wrexham documentary has also sparked a surge in tourism in North Wales, benefiting local businesses. In some instances, fans have journeyed from as far as Brazil to watch the Red Dragons at the Racecourse Ground and the series was recently commissioned for a fifth season.
