// BBC ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS — MODA & SOCIETÀ
Comedian Mo Gilligan has 'fond memories' of holidays at Barry Island
The Masked Singer judge says he'd send six-week holidays in south Wales growing up
Comedian and TV presenter Mo Gilligan says watching episodes of Gavin & Stacey reminded him of his visits to Barry Island during his childhood.
His mother grew up in the town in the Vale of Glamorgan, although her father originally settled in Grangetown, Cardiff, after leaving Jamaica.
Gilligan said he still visited family in the area, adding he and fellow comedians performed a gig to help with fundraising to safeguard the future of Cadoxton Conservative Club in February.
"I've got very fond memories of spending six-week holidays there," he said.
"It holds a huge place in my heart so it's always important that I'm making sure I'm still present."
Comedian Mo Gilligan chats to Lucy about his love of Barry Island
Gilligan, a judge on popular ITV series The Masked Singer, recalled spending days on the beach and riding the log flume at the fun park as well playing the penny arcade machines.
He told BBC Radio Wales' Lucy Owen that he was pleased Gavin & Stacey had put the resort on the map although the show did not have the same "connection" that he remembered from his youth.
Gilligan said that, if series co-writer James Corden had written him in to the series as a "random black cousin", people would have been "mad confused".