OLYMPIC medallist Jamie Baulch will be among eight celebrities taking part in a reality TV show to learn Welsh.

The Risca runner, now 42, will attempt to learn as much Cymraeg as possible in a week as part of S4C’s Cariad@Iaith (Love for Language).

Contestants will face a range of outdoor challenges at their Machynlleth base and will eat, drink, sleep and live the Welsh language. The show, now in its seventh series, has previously featured celebs such as Steve Strange, Gareth Thomas and Janet Street-Porter.

Baulch was a poster boy for Welsh athletics, and won a total of 11 medals at events such as the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and the IAAF World Athletics Championships during his career, where he excelled at 400-metre running.

Other well-known personalities in this year’s series include TV weatherman Derek Brockway, CBeebies presenter Rebecca Keatley, comedian and radio presenter Chris Corcoran, actress Nicola Reynolds, actor Steve Speirs, West End actress Caroline Sheen and ex-Cardiff Blues and Wales international rugby player Tom Shanklin.

With the help of tutors Ioan Talfryn and Nia Parry, the eight contestants will have their knowledge of Welsh put to the test with formal lessons and by using the language during physical challenges and the unique teaching method of desuggestopedia, which encourages language immersion through songs and games.

Cariad@Iaith, presented this year for the first time by opera star Wynne Evans along with the darling of all Welsh learners, Nia Parry, will start with a special preview programme on Sunday June 14 at 8pm on S4C, with daily programmes to follow every weekday night at 8.25pm and 9.30pm with the final to be shown on Saturday, June 20.