Try GOLD - Free

Tales of the unexpected

Western Mail

|

February 12, 2026

FANTASTIC TALES: Roald Dahl's life was as wild as his imagination

The brain that gave us snozzcumbers, Oompa-Loompas and the dreaded shrinks had an even wilder, weirder story to tell: his own.

In this 11-part iHeart series, produced by Ron Howard, screenwriter and Yale English professor Aaron Tracy shares the “bananas” life and darker side of a writer who has sold more than 300 million books.

The BFG and The Witches were the first books Aaron read on his own, and ignited his love of words. But after “rotten Roald’s” anti-Semitic outbursts, he now holds a confusing place in his heart. Put it this way, Aaron doesn’t know how to approach the books with his own Jewish children.

MORE STORIES FROM Western Mail

Western Mail

Lake calls time on her rugby career

WALES stalwart Kerin

time to read

1 mins

February 13, 2026

Western Mail

Western Mail

Fuchs not happy as Exiles on wrong side of referee

NEWPORT

time to read

2 mins

February 13, 2026

Western Mail

New car park for city centre

A NEW car park has opened in Cardiff city centre boasting almost 700 parking spaces.

time to read

1 min

February 13, 2026

Western Mail

Western Mail

One change for Wales as injury rules out Woods

WALES

time to read

2 mins

February 13, 2026

Western Mail

Bakery hits out at 'damaging dishonest' review

AN INDEPENDENT Welsh bakery said a “dishonest” one-star review has “knocked the wind out” of them.

time to read

1 mins

February 13, 2026

Western Mail

Western Mail

First-ever Wales leader of Reform UK says: 'Nigel picked me because I'm battle-hardened'

A WEEK ago, few people in Welsh political circles would have been able to put a name next to a picture of Dan Thomas.

time to read

10 mins

February 13, 2026

Western Mail

LESS IS MOOR...

IT’S GLAM UP NORTH BUT EMERALD FENNELL'S SEX-SOAKED RETELLING OF ROMANTIC CLASSIC MAY BE TOO MUCH FOR THE BRONTË PURISTS

time to read

2 mins

February 13, 2026

Western Mail

Looking good, Dier

THE RUGGED INEOS GRENADIER IS SHOWING OFF AN IMPRESSIVE FACELIFT - AND IT STILL REMAINS ONE OF THE BEST OFF-ROADERS AROUND

time to read

2 mins

February 13, 2026

Western Mail

Who is Dan Thomas, the new Reform UK leader in Wales? He spoke to political editor Ruth Mosalski

A WEEK ago, few people in Welsh political circles would have been able to put a name next to a picture of Dan Thomas.

time to read

10 mins

February 13, 2026

Western Mail

Western Mail

'The trip of a lifetime' for teachers heading to Patagonia

TWO teachers are preparing for a once-in-a-lifetime trip across the world to teach the Welsh language in Argentina.

time to read

2 mins

February 13, 2026

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size