HOMELAND star Damian Lewis has spoken proudly of his Welsh roots as he stole the show at a Carmarthenshire attraction.
Crowds flocked to Aberglasney Gardens in Llangathen to see the Golden Globe and Emmy Award winning actor open the newly restored ground floor of its mansion.
Damian, 42, was joined by his actress wife Helen McCrory, 44, along with their children Manon and Gulliver, at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
He said he was pleased to be able to attend the special event.
Damian said: "We have actually had a house down here in the area for 30 years, my father is Welsh through his blood line and I support the Welsh rugby team.
"It was easy to support the Welsh rugby team in the 70s and it's easy to support them now.
"There was a little moment in the middle when it wasn't quite so.
"We have a Welsh heritage my wife Helen has a Welsh speaking mother that lives in Cardiff and she has grandfather who was the Welsh boxing champion no less -Bobby Morgan.
"Myself I am London Welshman like the most notorious London Welshmen of them all (Henry VIII) I too have red hair – I am trying to keep my belly smaller than his and hopefully I will not need another five wives."
He added: "One of the things that I learnt being here was what an extraordinary amount of hard work has gone into first and foremost the garden, which was really initially the area of historical note."
Damian revealed that the Welsh artist William Wilkins introduced him to Aberglasney Gardens and he ended his speech by reading the work of the romantic poet John Dyer who once lived at the Camarthenshire site.
Classical singer Shan Cothi also took part in the celebration after first singing at the opening of the attraction to the public 14 years ago.
Roger Evans, chief executive of the Aberglasney Restoration Trust, said it was an "important day" in the history of the gardens.
He added: "Our guest of honour and his family are no strangers to Aberglasney.
"It's a great pleasure to welcome Damian Lewis and also his wife Helen and family. It's great having Manon and Gulliver here this afternoon.
"Damian and Helen have their roots in Wales and there is no wonder why they are successful.
"We are extremely pleased and delighted they are here today."
