Ryan Reynolds flew Celebrity Traitors star to New York and made big Wrexham request

One of the stars of Celebrity Traitors has lifted the lid on how they were once flown out to the US after being asked for a favour by Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds

Celebrity Traitors star Charlotte Church is no stranger to unexpected TV appearances after making a surprise cameo in the Welcome to Wrexham documentary. The Disney+ series, which charts Wrexham AFC’s journey under the ownership of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, has become a huge hit since it first aired in August 2022.

The show has shone a global spotlight on the community of Wrexham, turning local figures like Wayne Jones, landlord of the Turf pub, into household names. Several famous faces have also featured along the way, with Welsh singer Church turning up in the first season of the docuseries.

Church, who is one of 19 stars taking part in the BBC’s new series of Celebrity Traitors, turned up in the first season of the Wrexham documentary, in an episode highlighting Welsh culture and history. She performed stirring renditions of ‘Men of Harlech’ and the Welsh national anthem ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’ to finish the programme.

The 39-year-old has previously revealed how her appearance came about after Deadpool actor Reynolds flew her and her three children out to the USA, despite them having never met before. Church praised the way the duo have transformed Wrexham’s fortunes, as well as the their interactions with her family.

Talking 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.

“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.”

Welcome to Wrexham recently concluded its fourth series and has picked up several Creative Arts Emmy awards. A spin-off show focusing on Mexican football outfit Club Necaxa, which Reynolds, Rob Mac and Desperate Housewives actress Eva Longoria have invested in, launched in August.

A number of other clubs have followed in Wrexham’s footsteps, including Championship rivals Birmingham City, who are part-owned by NFL legend Tom Brady. Their series, Built in Birmingham: Brady & The Blues, was also released in August on Prime Video.

As well as shining a spotlight on the club, the Wrexham documentary has also triggered a tourism boom in the local area, providing a boost for local businesses. In some cases, fans have traveled from as far afield as Brazil to watch the Red Dragons at the Racecourse Ground and the series was recently renewed for a fifth season.

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