Ioan Gruffudd used to compete at the National Eisteddfod

The festival, which is taking place at Meifod, near Welshpool, mid Wales, in August, will see the 102 Dalmatians and Hornblower star honoured as a druid.

Created in 1792 as celebration of Welsh and Celtic heritage, Gorsedd inductees are considered to have contributed to Welsh culture.

The National Eisteddfod is Wales' largest annual cultural event.

Gruffudd, from Cardiff and who used to compete in eisteddfod competitions, said he was delighted to be inducted.

GORSEDD OF THE BARDS Created in 1792 as celebration of Welsh and Celtic heritage Gorsedd is Welsh for "high seat" Rituals look back to era when Celtic druids - religious professionals - led society Currently 1,300 members

He added: "I am very grateful and appreciative of the high honour that the Gorsedd of the Bards has bestowed upon me.

"To be honoured in such a way is very humbling.

"Competing in eisteddfodau in Wales, including the National Eisteddfod, gave me great confidence which has stood me in good stead in my career.

"I am very proud to be Welsh and have endeavoured to carry the culture and traditions of Wales to wherever I have been fortunate enough to work.

Rowan Williams was inducted last year despite a row over paganism

"I fervently hope that any success I and my fellow actors from Wales may achieve in the future will help to increase awareness, in the rest of the world, of Wales' contribution to European culture."

Also honoured at the event will be former Plaid Cymru AM Phil Williams and BBC presenter Sulwyn Thomas.

Mr Williams will be awarded the title posthumously after he collapsed at a Cardiff massage parlour and died, earlier this month.

His funeral is taking place in Aberystwyth on Friday.

Contribution

The Gorsedd first gathered at Primrose Hill, London, in 1792, and made its first eisteddfod appearance at Carmarthen in 1819, standing around a circle of stones.

Today the circle numbers poets, writers, musicians, artists, sportsmen and women, and others who have made a contribution to Welsh culture.

Former Welsh Secretary Ron Davies, cricketer Robert Croft, opera singer Bryn Terfel and the Queen are all members of the group.

Last year, Archbishop of Canterbury-elect Rowan Williams was inducted to the Gorsedd of the Bards despite claims from some national newspapers that the ceremony had pagan connotations.