Matthew Rhys' teacher recalls him 'stealing the show' as Elvis aged 18 after the school 'built the show around him' before historic Emmy double win

Matthew Rhys first showed star quality as a teenage Elvis in his school show, his former teacher has revealed before his Emmys success.

His former music teacher, Delyth Medi Lloyd, 60, said the production was effectively built around the sixth-former because he bore an uncanny resemblance to The King. 

The Hollywood star, 51, made history at the 78th Emmys in Los Angeles on Monday night, as the first man to win two lead acting awards at the same ceremony.

Matthew was named Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy for Widow's Bay and Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie for The Beast in Me.

The Welsh actor also shared the outstanding comedy series prize as an executive producer of Widow's Bay, taking his career haul to four Emmys.

But more than three decades before conquering Hollywood, he was swivelling his hips in a gold suit at Welsh-language school Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf in Cardiff.

Matthew Rhys first showed star quality as a teenage Elvis in his school show, his former teacher has revealed before his Emmys success

Pictures show the star, then 18, performing in the school's original 1993 musical Elfis – first shimmering in gold and later sweeping across the stage in a long white cape.

A contemporary review recorded that the teenager received a lengthy standing ovation.

Recalling the show, Delyth said: 'We chose the show because of him, really. He always stood out amongst the crowd and he had this black, wavy hair - he looked a bit like him!

'He stole the show, singing all the songs. I think the girls were swooning over him.'

Reacting to his Emmy success, Delyth said: 'I saw the news this morning and it didn't surprise me at all. We're all so proud of Matthew.'

For the Elvis production, his teacher said he watched videos for hours until he had memorised all of the mannerisms.

Delyth said: 'He was so enthusiastic about everything. If he was doing something, he would give it 100 per cent.'

Costume designer Julie Morse created the spectacular outfits, while Matthew's mother and father watched him perform every night. Delyth believes his mother may still have the white cape.

Former music teacher, Delyth Medi Lloyd, 60, met up with Matthew after his performance in the Welsh National Theatre's Playing Burton last year, when she also got to meet Michael Sheen

Pictures show the star, then 18, performing in the school's original 1993 musical Elfis – first shimmering in gold and later sweeping across the stage in a long white cape

She said: 'Matthew has a fantastic singing voice as well, which must be because he is Welsh - but he seems to have kept that quiet in his other roles over the years!'

Delyth added: 'I think Elvis was a big boost for him and his family in showing that he could do it.

'We all tried to persuade him to go on because it was so clear that he had a very big talent.'

Matthew was accepted by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and received the Patricia Rothermere Scholarship in 1993.

Delyth, who taught at Glantaf from 1989 to 2022 and became head of music, first worked with him on extracurricular shows in year nine.

He appeared in every concert and production and was often at the heart of the action.

She said: 'We saw a different side to Matthew in his drama days because he was so much in his element. He had this twinkle in his eye.

'He lived life to the full and he was very humorous. His sense of humour is so dry and he's so funny.

'He was a very popular lad, but so unassuming. He had something very unique.'

Delyth hugging Matthew after watching him perform last year

But more than three decades before conquering Hollywood, he was swivelling his hips in a gold suit at Welsh-language school Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf in Cardiff

Reacting to his Emmy triumph, Delyth said: 'When I saw The Beast in Me, I was so in awe of all his talents. It was almost shocking to see that he could play someone so nasty. But he seems to be convincing in all styles.'

His school's links with the Eisteddfod – the Welsh festivals of competitive music, poetry and performance – helped nurture pupils, while performing was embedded in school life.

Delyth said Matthew never forgot those roots.

He later backed the campaign to save Glan yr Afon pub in Pennal, southern Gwynedd and returned to pull a pint when it reopened.

He also spent four years restoring Rarebit, a 1939 wooden boat of the same type favoured by Ernest Hemingway, now based in New York.

Delyth has since visited her former pupil in Los Angeles and sailed aboard Rarebit in New York with him.

She met up with Matthew after his performance in the Welsh National Theatre's 'Playing Burton' last year, when she also got to meet fellow actor Michael Sheen.

She said: 'Matthew has always remembered his roots and his old teachers - he has been wonderful with us whenever we've been out to see him.