It started as a little-known sitcom, but achieved legendary cult status. As Gavin & Stacey heads towards its final episode, the cast reflects on the end of an era
When actor mates James Corden and Ruth Jones concocted an idea for a sitcom in a hotel in Leeds 20 years ago, they could never have imagined the huge sensation it would become.
Starting as a hidden gem on BBC Three, Gavin & Stacey, a comedy about two families – one from Barry, one from Billericay – went on to be a huge hit for BBC1, becoming one of Britain’s best loved shows. Now, after 17 years, Ruth and James have penned one last episode that fans hope will bring a bang tidy ending to the sitcom, which also stars Joanna Page, Mathew Horne, Alison Steadman, Larry Lamb and Rob Brydon. And as an extra treat for fans, BBC1 will air a nostalgic documentary special, charting the journey of the sitcom with plenty of behind-the-scenes footage from the first ever day of filming right through to this final instalment.
Mat Horne, who plays Gavin, on set while filming the final episode (
Image:
BBC/Toffee International Ltd./Tom Jackson)James says: “The documentary is based on this idea that we just had so much footage, from our first ever day, from the first Christmas special and from series two and three. For the 2019 Christmas special and this finale we had a film crew following the entire time. It’s very emotional watching everybody because the very last thing that we shot is the very last moment of the show. So there were a lot of tears that day and I hope that people that like the show will enjoy getting a little glimpse into it.”
Joanna, who plays Welsh lass Stacey, says: “It was funny having the documentary crew there, because in the beginning you feel a bit self-conscious as there’s always like an extra camera there with you in your quiet moments, when you’re having your breakfast or your makeup done. I can’t wait to watch as there are bits from our auditions and we get to see the whole 17 years’ and how much we’ve grown as characters and also as people. I hope that there are loads of outtakes.”
Ruth Jones, who plays Nessa, having her makeup touched up while filming the finale (
Image:
PA)
As a legion of fans prepares for the final farewell, it’s fair to say that for the cast, it has been a hugely emotional time. James, who plays Smithy, says: “I don’t think anybody when you start writing a TV show thinks you’ll still be writing these characters 20 years on. It’s nuts really. Gavin & Stacey is just a huge part of my life, it changed my life in every way. When I think back to when we started, I couldn’t feel more like a different person really. The thing it means to me most is my friendship with Ruth. To have an idea with a friend in a hotel in Leeds 20 years ago and then be sat here today with what it’s become… if you think about it too much you could really just start crying all the time. I love her so much and I’m so proud of what we’ve done. Being part of the show, as soon as it started to become successful, was incredibly intoxicating. It was discombobulating really because it seemed to go from 0 to 10 very very quickly.”
Ruth, who plays Nessa, says: “I feel terribly proud of how long it’s lasted and how people who weren’t even born when it came out are now fans. That means such a lot. I suppose in the first series we just didn’t know what the series was or how it was going to look or anything so it was all a bit of a gamble, diving into the unknown. It started off as this quiet little show on BBC Three in 2007 with 500,000 viewers, we had no idea how big it would grow. I remember a couple of people texting me after the first episode went out saying, ‘Oh I like that new thing you’re in’ and it just felt great to have a little bit of positive feedback.”
Mat Horne filming for Gavin & Stacey: The Finale which airs on Christmas Day (
Image:
PA)
Ruth adds that to be back writing and filming for Gavin & Stacey was “mixture of excitement, nostalgia and sadness”. She says: “It’s sad of course because this is the last time these characters will ever be on screen again, but so exciting to bring them to life again. And nostalgic because we’d be on set with the cast and we’d go down memory lane remembering the early episodes. It’s always so enjoyable to be in the room writing with James. We act out the characters when we write – I love playing Bryn and Stacey and James does a great Pamelarr!” She adds: “I have so many favourite Nessa moments from the series. I love Nessa. I wish I could be more like her in real life.”
Fans have high expectations for the episode, to be aired in the primetime evening slot on Christmas Day, with plenty of loose ends that need to be tied up. It’s been five years since we left Nessa down on one knee declaring her love for Smithy. In Barry, Bryn is packing the Picasso in readiness for a trip to Essex, while Stacey and Gavin want to spice up their marriage and Gwen is behaving most strangely. Nessa has started a new business venture and Neil the Baby is about to begin an apprenticeship with his dad. Over in Billericay, Pam is stressing out at the prospect of playing hostess, not helped by a newly retired Mick practicing his golf swings in the living room. And will we ever find out what happened on that fishing trip?
Alison Steadman as Pam, Larry Lamb as Mick, Rob Brydon as Bryn, Robert Wilfort as Jason, and Melanie Walters as Gwen, in Gavin and Stacey: The Finale (
Image:
PA)
James won’t give any spoilers, but he says: “When we finished the last special, we knew that we’d left a door open. It’s such a privilege to be able to end a show on your own terms. The show is about love and about people who like each other. It’s about family and friendship. There’s so much warmth and love – none of that is faked, that’s all there in our relationships as a cast really.” Joanna reveals she was blown away by the latest script, which she received while queuing for a burger at a service station. She says: “It was really exciting. I got in the car and ate my burger and read the first half of the script. Then I thought, I’d better move on to another services before I get a parking fine. I was just voice noting Ruth, going ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe this’.”
Joanna adds that being on set with everyone for the last time was “traumatic”. She says: “When I walked on set I just burst out crying and then I kept crying. It just felt like it was such a huge journey that was ending. I just alternated between hysterically crying and hysterically laughing. Then right at the very end, on our last bit of filming, I just got this sense of calm wash over me. I remember looking around at everybody and thinking, ‘Wow, look where we all are now’. I delivered my last lines, the way that I wanted to and then when they shouted, ‘It’s a wrap’ and then they clapped all of us goodbye and I just hugged Mat, and we both stood there crying.”
Rob Brydon as Bryn and James Corden as Smithy in the final episode (
Image:
PA)Mat, who plays Billericay boy Gavin, adds: “It felt very much like the end of an era, being on set with everyone for the last time. Gavin Shipman will be on my epitaph, but the show will live on long after I am gone. I am still discovering what the show means to me, but it has defined my career to date and therefore my whole life. Filming the documentary was intense as they caught me at a particularly raw moment – hopefully anything with me sobbing uncontrollably will be cut.” He adds: “My expectations of this final script were exceeded. It’s nothing short of a masterpiece.”
While the entire cast were emotional when the show ended, they did however manage to sneak off set with a heap of mementos. Ruth admits she stole the glazed egg holder that sat on Gwen’s kitchen windowsill, while Joanna took a framed painting from Gwen’s house and an ornamental glass duck from Stacey’s sideboard, Larry has a few of Mick’s shirts and Mat is the proud owner of Gavin’s office door sign. But Rob, who plays Bryn, has bigger plans. He reveals: “I’ve basically taken all of Bryn’s clothes. I’m always asked for donations for charities and things, so I’ve got suits and jumpers and cardigans. I’ve got the apron from when he cooked Christmas dinner on the last special. I’ve got all sorts. So keep your eyes on charity auctions near you.”
Behind the scenes with Alison Steadman – footage will be shown in the documentary Gavin & Stacey: A Fond Farewell (
Image:
PA)
It’s clear the show means a lot to the dedicated cast. Joanna says: “I started on it when I was 29 and now I’m 47 and I’ve got four kids. All of the stuff that I’ve gone through in my life, Gavin & Stacey has always been there. And it really put Wales on the map.” Ruth adds: “I think it’s popular because it’s so relatable. The lovely friends I’ve made from it and the happy times we’ve had filming are such a joy. I feel very lucky.” Alison Steadman, who plays Gavin’s mum Pamela, says: “It’s been such a special time in my life. I love it when people stop me and say it’s changed their lives. A lot of people also tell me how it brings their family together at Christmas. That’s special.”
CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 23: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales attends a reception with the staff, students, donors, the welfare team, and academic Fellows, to learn about the Colleges approach to student and staff wellbeing during a visit to Homerton College at the University of Cambridge, on November 23, 2021 in Cambridge, England. (Photo by Daniel Leal – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
John Stillwell – WPA Pool/Getty images