Gavin & Stacey creators say they ‘both had the same idea’ for final Christmas special
An emotional James Corden and Ruth Jones have said working on Gavin & Stacey has been a “privilege” and a “wonderful journey”, as they prepare to say goodbye after 17 years.
The beloved sitcom, which they created together, follows the love story of Gavin from Essex (Mathew Horne) and Stacey from Barry in Wales (Joanna Page), and the lives of their families and friends.
It ran for three seasons between 2007 and 2009, becoming one of the most successful British comedies of all time, before returning after 10 years for a Christmas Day cliffhanger episode in 2019.
More than 18 million people watched as Jones’s character Nessa got down on one knee and declared her love for Corden‘s Smithy, but never got to find out his answer.
Jones and Corden pictured at the Gavin & Stacey: The Finale launch event. Pic: PA
Now, the BBC show returns at Christmas once again for what Corden and Jones have said really will be the final episode, giving viewers the chance to see how their characters’ unconventional off-more-than-on romance pans out.
The co-writers introduced Gavin & Stacey: The Finale at a special screening in front of cast and crew members in London on Wednesday, with Jones becoming emotional as she told the audience that a “sense of love” had remained throughout the series.
“Love between friends, love between family members, conventional boy-meets-girl love stories, and unconventional relationships,” she said. “I think that’s kind of remained the same. And the lack of cynicism has remained the same – all the characters in the show really do love each other.”
Corden said it had been a “dream come true” to have a show successful enough to be “considered worthy of a Christmas special” the first time around, let alone again.
Both have remained tight-lipped on how the story ends.
The first look at the final ever episode. Pic: Tom Jackson/PA
Reflecting on why Gavin & Stacey is so beloved, Corden said: “The more I’ve thought about it, I wonder if actually it’s a lesson in patience. We’re sort of told now, particularly in television, or the way we consume stuff – we talk about content and we talk about consumers and we talk about speed.
“Here’s a show that ended 15 years ago, waited 10 years to tell another hour of the story, and waited five more years to end it. Maybe the lesson for all of us – for people that write about television, for people that talk about television, for people that write television – is actually maybe time and patience and care might be the answer for things to have a longevity outside of what we consume on our phones.”
Both Corden and Jones said that after the Christmas 2019 cliffhanger, they did not know whether they would bring the show back. But in the summer of 2023, they decided to work on some ideas together.
“We both had the same idea, didn’t we?” Jones said.
Joanna Page, who plays Stacey Shipman (left) and Jones, pictured during filming for the special. Pic: PA
Gavin & Stacey also stars Larry Lamb and Alison Steadman as Gavin’s parents, Mick and Pam, Rob Brydon as Stacey’s uncle, Bryn, and Melanie Walters as her mother, Gwen.
“It may sound like complete nonsense [but] it doesn’t really feel like we’re in charge of writing it,” Corden said. “I feel like we just have to be together, and we sort of open a portal and the characters arrive and tell us.”
“Our cast just inhabit those roles,” Jones added. “I think it’s been very much a joint venture, in more ways than one.”
Jones praised the Gavin & Stacey crew for “making it so special, this final foray”. She also thanked Corden “for being my travel companion on this wonderful journey”.
Corden added: “What a privilege to have an idea with someone for whom it is just a joy to write with. I love you very much. I’m very proud of all of it. Thank you.”
Gavin & Stacey: The Finale airs on BBC1 at 9pm on Christmas Day
Pauline Quirke has been diagnosed with dementia and will be stepping away from acting, her husband has confirmed.
The 65-year-old star was best known for her role in the hit sitcom Birds Of A Feather, playing Sharon Theodopolopodous opposite Linda Robson, who played her sister Tracey.
Steve Sheen, who has been married to Quirke since 1996, said she had been diagnosed with the condition in 2021.
In a statement, he said it was “with a heavy heart” that she was stepping back from her professional and commercial duties because of her diagnosis.
He went on: “We are deeply grateful for the support of her peers, the public and the dedicated staff and Principals at PQA [Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts].
“We kindly request privacy and understanding for Pauline and our family during this difficult period. Pauline just wants to spend time with her family, children and grandchildren.”
Quirke with her husband Steve Sheen
Quirke and her husband, who worked as an executive producer on Birds Of A Feather, have two children together. Their son Charlie is also an actor.
Quirke’s family have pledged future support to Alzheimer’s Research UK and say they will be working alongside the charity to raise funds for research and awareness of dementia.
The statement also drew comparisons with the work done to raise awareness for the cause by the family of late EastEnders actress Dame Barbara Windsor, who died in 2020, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease six years previously.
Sheen went on: “We are very proud of what our family friend Scott Mitchell is doing with Alzheimer’s Research UK in his late wife Dame Barbara Windsor’s name. So, when we feel able, we will also align ourselves with the charity.”
One of the most recognisable stars of British comedy, Quirke began acting as a child getting her own TV show as a teenager – Pauline’s Quirkes – where she frequently worked with Linda Robson.
Quirke receiving her MBE in 2022. Pic: PA
The pair were brought together again in 1989 in Birds of a Feather, where the roles of mismatched sisters brought together after their husbands are sent to jail for armed robbery turned them into household names.
A female-led comedy, Lesley Joseph played the third lead in the show, as nosey neighbour Dorien Green.
Running for nine years on the BBC, it attracted nearly 20 million viewers at its height. It was rebooted by ITV in 2014 and ran for six more years.
Quirke did not return for a Christmas special in 2020.
In a career spanning over half a decade, Quirke has starred in more than 60 TV and film productions, including Broadchurch, Carrie’s War, North and South, Casualty, Cold Blood, My Family and Emmerdale.
In 1990 Quirke won a British Comedy award for her role in Birds Of A Feather and in 1996 she was nominated for a BAFTA for her performance as a convicted murderess in The Sculptress.
In 1995 Quirke and Robson appeared on the BBC documentary Jobs For The Girls, trying out a new profession each week, frequently with comedic results.
In 2007 The Pauline Quirke Academy Of Performing Arts opened, offering classes in singing, dancing, and acting for children from four to 18. Based in Buckinghamshire, it operates across the country.
The academy said it was “deeply moved by the messages that we have received” following news of Quirke’s diagnosis, adding, “it has been wonderful to see how many lives Pauline has touched through her work”.
They said teaching at the academy would “continue as normal”.
Quirke was awarded an MBE in 2022 in recognition of her work with young people, contributions to entertainment and dedication to charitable causes.
One in two people will be directly affected by dementia – either by developing the condition themselves, caring for someone with it, or both – according to Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Police have launched an investigation after Gladiators star Apollo was reportedly stalked and harassed.
The 33-year-old, whose real name is Alex Gray, is said to have been targeted by a woman both on the set of the TV show in Sheffield and at his temporary accommodation in the city.
South Yorkshire Police said they were “aware of reports of a man in his 30s being subjected to stalking and harassment”.
A spokesperson added: “An investigation has been launched and enquiries are ongoing.”
Gray told The Sun On Sunday: “There was an incident. That’s as much as I can say, until something comes of it and there’s action taken.
“Maybe there might not be. I’m still waiting to hear. The police are doing their thing.”
Apollo, far left, in a Gladiators celebrity special broadcast earlier this month. Pic: BBC
The newspaper also reported that the BBC and production company Hungry Bear Media had arranged for extra “support and protection” around the Utilita Arena Sheffield and outside the rented apartment block where performers stay during filming.
Gray was previously a rugby union player for the England rugby sevens team before transferring to NFL American football.
He was among the 16 “superhumans” who joined the Gladiators line-up when the sports entertainment show was rebooted by the BBC last year.
Gladiators season two launched on BBC One last weekend after millions of viewers tuned in to the first series.
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The original American Gladiators series was broadcast in the US in 1989, with a UK version following in 1992.
The first UK show was presented by Ulrika Jonsson and footballer John Fashanu, while the reboot is fronted by father and son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh.
Gladiators was brought back on Sky between 2008 and 2009, with the first season hosted by Ian Wright and Kirsty Gallacher. Caroline Flack replaced Gallacher for its second series.
The BBC and Hungry Bear Media declined to comment.
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