Gruffudd learned lines with baby

Ioan Gruffudd and Alice Evans became parents to Ella Betsi in September

Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd tested out his lines for his latest television role on his new baby daughter Ella Betsi, he has revealed.

The Fantastic Four star is the narrator of Igam Ogam, a Welsh-language show for pre-school children which starts on S4C on Monday.

Hollywood-based Gruffudd recorded his part via a link between a studio near his LA home and one in Cardiff.

But first he read the scripts to Ella Betsi, his daughter with Alice Evans.

The Lost actress gave birth to Ella Betsi Evans Gruffudd in September.

Gruffudd, 35, who also starred in ITV's Hornblower and was in the blockbuster, Titanic, said he was delighted when Cardiff-based animation company Calon TV approached him to narrate Igam Ogam, which follows the adventures of a pig-tailed cave girl.

"They have a great record of producing high-quality animation for young children and I hope Ella Betsi will become a fan as soon as she's old enough," he said.

"She seemed to enjoy the scripts when I read them to her."

The children's show follows the adventures of a pig-tailed cave girl

Calon's Welsh-language voice director Pat Griffiths said: "I'm so happy Ioan was able to find time to do the narration.

"His voice is perfect, he is very warm and I'm sure the young children watching the show will think he's talking just to them."

Sian Eirian, S4C's Head of Children's Services, said: "Securing the services of Ioan Gruffudd as narrator on this charming new series was something of a coup, and we're delighted with the results."

Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones is narrating the English-language version, which is due to be premiered next spring.

The series, a co-production with S4C, Five, Gaelic channel MG Alba and the Wales IP Fund, was recently bought by Australia's public service broadcaster ABC.

Igam Ogam will be screened on S4C at 1230 GMT from Monday to Friday until 4 December.