Kevin Johns has spoken of how "humbled" he is at the news he is to be bestowed with the highest honour his home city can give.
The panto star, dedicated charity supporter and Swansea City Football Club matchday announcer is set to be given the Honorary Freedom of the City of Swansea by Swansea Council, providing councillors endorse the proposal at their next full council meeting.
Mr Johns will follow in the footsteps of people like Catherine Zeta Jones, Alun Wyn-Jones, President Jimmy Carter, composer Sir Karl Jenkins MBE and football great Chris Coleman. Others to have been honoured include HMS Cambria, HMS Scott, The Welsh Guards and, most recently, the Swansea branch of the Merchant Navy Association.
READ MORE: All the people who have the Freedom of Swansea and what it actually means
Reacting to the honour, Mr Johns told WalesOnline: "I'm very honoured and very humbled. It was completely unexpected, I had no idea of what was going to happen, and, as I say, I'm very honoured.
"Our city and the surrounding district is full of incredible people - Sean Stillman who runs Zac's Place, the guys who run Matt's Cafe - this city is full of incredible people. For me it's a great honour, but this city is full of incredible people who do incredible work and make great sacrifices every single day.
"It's very kind of the council to have considered me, it's very humbling and people have been very, very kind. Everybody who does anything - whether they make a sacrifice for others - you don't think of getting something for you, you do it because it's the right thing to do, and that's how I was brought up - to get involved in the community and try and make a difference.
"It's an honour to work alongside the most incredible people, like at Llys Nini, Harry's, Rising Stars and so many other charities. To see the work that their volunteers do every week is very humbling."
Mr Johns is well known for his starring roles as the dame at the Swansea Grand Theatre panto every year, and he's also played leading roles with the Wales Theatre Company and the Fleullen Theatre Company. He was also directed by Michael Sheen in the National Theatre of Wales' production of The Passion, appearing as the MC of the Last Supper.
As a supporter of many local charities, Mr Johns is president or patron of Swansea-based charities including the Rising Stars Theatre Company, Swansea Male Choir and Friends of Stepping Stones.
He was appointed MBE for his services to charity in the Queen's Birthday Honours 2010 and collected his medal from Her Majesty The Queen at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
If the council approves the proposal, a ceremonial event will take place at a later stage to celebrate the honour.
Leader of Swansea Council, Rob Stewart, said: "Kevin Johns is one of Swansea's best-known and best-loved characters.
"Kevin has used his profile to support many local charities and promote our city to others. While he's in the public eye a lot, there's also much Kevin does behind the scenes to support people in need and that's one of the reasons why he deserves this accolade so much.
"Kevin was panto dame at the Grand Theatre this year and he's been the show's biggest star for many years.
"He's a fixture at the Liberty Stadium on Swans match days and is a brilliant broadcaster. When we celebrated our city's 50 th anniversary a couple of years ago it was Kevin who topped the public poll to name our Swansea Icon. That just goes to show how popular he is in his home city."
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