Tudur Phillips is a lively and energetic presenter on Stwnsh - S4C's service for children and young people - and a firm favourite among younger viewers.
But a year ago, Tudur was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis - a chronic disease which affects the spine and can lead to severe disability and render its sufferers immobile.
In the latest edition of the documentary series O'r Galon on Wednesday, 25 April, we follow the young presenter from Bryn Iwan near Carmarthen as he learns more about the long and painful journey ahead.
Tudur, 25, explains, "I've always thought it important to keep fit and exercise regularly. It was a big part of my life. When I got the job of presenting children's programmes, I was thrilled. It gave me the chance to push my body to the limits and experience different kinds of sports."
Ankylosing Spondylitis usually strikes young people between the ages of 15 and 30. It can cause the bones to fuse together often leading to a hunched back. But in its early stages it can also be an invisible illness with no obvious signs of pain and suffering. The pain levels vary from day to day - one day it may be possible to run comfortably, while the following day patients may barely be able to move a muscle.
"When I found out I suffered from A.S., everything changed. A year ago I was like any other man in their early twenties and able to do anything. I enjoyed taking part in various sports and enjoyed every minute. Now I have to stop and think about my life and the future."
Despite there currently being no cure, Tudur remains positive for the future with the support of his family and doctors.
Dr Ceril Rhys-Dillon is one of the Consultant Rheumatologists who has been treating Tudur over the past year.
"There are over 200,000 AS sufferers in the UK with around 5,000 of those from Wales," explains Dr Rhys-Dillon. "At the moment, there are no treatments to eliminate the disease but I'm confident that treatments will exist in the future. But we do have new treatments – Anti TNF that can help improve the quality of life and reduce the pain from day to day, but the side effects and costs are factors to take into consideration. We also offer physiotherapy, pain relief tablets, anti-inflammatory tablets and steroid injections in the joints as well as supporting exercise and keeping fit."
Tudur is the eldest of three children. The A.S. gene is hereditary and Tudur's sister, Cerian, also suffers from the disease. In O'r Galon - Tudur Phillips: Yn y Gwaed, the family's youngest sibling, Lleucu, decides whether or not to take the test to determine whether she carries the gene which would also place her at risk of developing the disease in the future.
