ONE of Ammanford's most famous exports returned home last week to put Ammanford on the map.

Last week, John Rhys Davies, aka Gimli the Dwarf of Lord of the Rings, was in town filming for S4C's magazine programme Popcorn.

Originally, Popcorn hoped to film John at his home on the Isle of Man but he opted to be filmed on the Black Mountains near his hometown of Ammanford.

John said: "I told the producers that I would prefer to film in Ammanford to put the town on the map."

John, who has been acting for more than 30 years and has starred in more than 100 films, told the Guardian that he does not return home as often as he would like.

Mr Davies said: "My mother Phyllis was born in Cooper near Tycroes and my father Rhys was a local mechanical engineer from the area.

"I was born in Ammanford but when I was young we moved to Africa and I was educated in a private school in England.

"My childhood has influenced so much of my career because I have been fortunate enough to have experienced so many cultures.

"My parents moved back to Ammanford in the 1980's and I returned as often as possible.

"However, since they have passed away I regret to say that I do not return to Ammanford as often as I should."

John, who can trace his family roots to the early 19th Century, stills keeps in regular contact with his mother's sister Violet and her husband Arthur Colley.

In October the couple will celebrate their diamond-wedding anniversary and John hopes to return to Ammanford to help them celebrate.

He said: "I used to spent many a fun summer with aunt Vi and uncle Arthur, they are very dear to me.

"In October they will celebrate 60 years of marriage and luckily I do have a space in my diary free to return to Ammanford and help them celebrate."

Catch John Rhys Davies on Popcorn on Friday, May 9 at 7pm on S4C.