A star of The Crown has been appointed as an ambassador for a Wiltshire homelessness charity.

Dominic West, best known for his roles in The Wire, in the royal series as Prince, now King, Charles, and more recently the Nationwide advert, has been chosen as the new ambassador for Julian House.

The charity, which provides support for people who are homeless, vulnerable, or experiencing social exclusion in Wiltshire and across the South West, announced his appointment on World Homelessness Day.

Read more: Kate Middleton: brother seeks solace in Lake District

This day, which was marked on Thursday (October 10), aims to raise awareness about the needs of people who currently experience, or are at risk of, homelessness.

West has previously supported the charity by donating food from his farm to its emergency shelter for rough sleepers in Bath.

He recently visited the emergency shelter on Manvers Street and one of the charity’s refuges for survivors of domestic violence.

During these visits, he was able to get to know the clients, understand their experiences and stories, and learn more about the support they receive.

Commenting on his new role, West said: "I find homelessness a particularly emotive subject and I have worked for a homelessness charity in Dublin.

"I moved to Bath five years ago and it’s not the sort of place you would expect to see the problem of homelessness, so it is rather shocking seeing this extent of the issue in a prosperous place like Bath.

"I think the shock of that and seeing what great work Julian House does made me want to do something to help if I can."

This year, the day comes at a time when homelessness and rough sleeping nationally and across the South West is rising sharply, with a 25 per cent increase seen in Wiltshire, according to the Government's rough sleeping snapshot in England for autumn 2023.

So far, in 2024, the charity has provided 39 individuals in Wiltshire, with a variety of complex needs, with supported housing.

Helen Bedser, the organisation's CEO, said: "We are thrilled to welcome Dominic West as our new ambassador.

"It was a pleasure to meet with him and discuss Julian House's mission.

"It is fantastic that he has decided to build on his existing support for our homelessness shelter by becoming an ambassador for our wider work across the South West.

"We are all looking forward to working with him in the future."