The firm's Rhondda Valley plant, in south Wales, is the centre of a high profile campaign aimed at ensuring production is not switched overseas.

Gruffudd, who grew up in nearby Aberdare, has written to the firm's chief executive asking her to reconsider.

His intervention comes as a result of local AM Leighton Andrews who released a letter from Gruffudd outlining his action.

Gruffudd and Oscar winning actress Rachel Weisz were recruited by the British firm last year as global faces of the brand.

Bosses at Burberry have been increasingly under fire since announcing plans to axe their Welsh plant and switch production to China.

That factory is close to where Gruffudd, star of TV's Hornblower and blockbusters such as the Fantastic Four, grew up.

Mr Andrews, AM for Rhondda, contacted Gruffudd asking for his support in the battle to keep the plant in Britain.

In a letter of thanks to Mr Andrews, originally written in his native Welsh, Gruffudd joins the revolt against the Burberry decision.

His intervention is just the latest in a growing backlash against Burberry which includes the Prince of Wales, who is understood to have contacted the Government asking how he might help.