On the global Taff Trail

By Tom Bourton BBC News Online

BBC News Online's Tom Bourton checks out which Welsh stars have been basking in the glow of the world's media spotlight.

It may still be months away, but the internet is awash with anticipation about the release of the next Lord of The Rings movie.

Nearly all of the stars who made the first instalment such a success will return - including John Rhys-Davies, from Ammamford in west Wales, as aggressive dwarf Gimli.

John Rhys-Davies will return as Gimli

Anyone keen on getting the first glimpses of the film, The Two Towers, can now see the first teaser poster and trailer online - see the links on the right.

Also battling with celluloid evils this year will be Pembrokeshire's Christian Bale, who takes on a scourge of fire-breathing dragons which are taking over the planet in Reign of Fire.

Bale plays Quinn, and he has been complaining about running through fires and smelling of diesel while talking to the Chud website.

"My character is kind of like the one who opened the whole Pandora's Box and got the whole thing started," said Bale.

"He has established a community in the midst of nothing, with no food, hardly any resources, having to struggle like crazy."

Into this futuristic maelstrom comes an American Van Zan (Matthew McConaughey) who says he knows how to save the world - but you'll have to wait until the film is released in the UK on 16 August to see how they get on!

Christian Bale is taking on dragons

On the smaller screen, young stars to watch include Jan Anderson, 29, who has jumped out of a nurse's uniform in Casualty to play a cook in the new series of London¿s Burning which starts on 7 July.

Completing her round-up of the emergency services, Anderson, from Porthcawl in south Wales, has been filming a new series of Nuts and Bolts for HTV - in which she plays a corrupt policewoman.

She is also due to star in a film called G2 later this year.

And Cardiff's Rakie Ayola is already appearing alongside Pauline Quirk in BBC1's Being April sitcom - the two are firm friends after having worked together on Maisie Raine for two series.

Ayola also used to present Double Yellow and appeared in Eastenders as Dan Sullivan's barrister when he was accused of shooting Phil Mitchell.

Elsewhere, a few old favourites have been in the news as well this week.

Firstly, former choirboy superstar Aled Jones has announced he will soon be releasing the first album of his adult career after signing a five-record deal with Universal.

Rakie Ayola used to present Double Yellow

The October release will follow hot on the heels of a live charity concert in Cardiff, making 2002 a busy year for the Songs of Praise presenter, who became a father for the first time a few months back.

And a gold watch belonging to Richard Burton has caused a stir at auction after an anonymous bidder spent nearly £10,000 on it so it would be brought back to Wales.

Burton was given the watch, complete with Welsh inscription, by his lover Elizabeth Taylor while they were filming Cleopatra - the couple married two years later.

But Catherine Zeta Jones has had to put up with Hollywood voice coach Jill McCullough telling the Welsh Mirror that her fake American accident is unconvincing.

"Catherine is still very Welsh sounding even though she tries to put on an American accent" said McCullough.

"I would love to give her lessons."

CZJ has yet to respond to this offer, we believe!

Last but not least, Lostprophets fans can enjoy a new-look site for the band, which promises to bring loads of extra content to play with.