What’s not occurin’? Star Jones shuts down new Gavin & Stacey rumours
GAVIN & STACEY co-creator Ruth Jones has appeared to shut down rumours that the much-loved sitcom is returning for a Christmas special.
On Tuesday, February 13 reports circulated online claiming the cast was set to film a new episode over the summer with the plan to air it at Christmas, five years on from a dramatic cliffhanger.
But Bridgend-born Jones, who starred in and co-created the show with James Corden, confirmed it was “sadly a rumour” on RTE Radio 1 last week.
Asked about the reports, she said: “Apparently there’s a bidding war going on between the BBC and Netflix and I love it because it says ‘a source says’, who is this source?”
Jones added: “It’s sadly a rumour... All I can say is, if there was something to say on that front, James and I would happily announce it, we would.”
The actress, who played Nessa in the beloved show – which is filmed in and around South Wales – revealed that she thinks the rumours were sparked after she was photographed having lunch with Corden a few months back after he returned to the UK from living in America.
“Then the next thing is, ‘Oh my God, they must be writing more Gavin & Stacey’, which is lovely,” she said.
“It’s lovely that people are so desperate for it because imagine if it was the opposite and were like ‘Oh, God, you’re not bringing that back again’.”
Rob Brydon, who played Stacey’s eccentric Uncle Bryn, also dismissed rumours that the Welsh sitcom will be returning to screens, but said he would “love it if it were true”.
On Saturday, Brydon, 58, weighed in on the reports and said they were just “another rumour”.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said: “I get asked about this on every interview I ever do. I sound like a politician, as far as I’m aware it’s another rumour. I don’t know. I mean, I’d love it if it were true.”
US outlet Deadline reported that the new special was in development/ pre-production stages currently and that it will be produced by Steve Coogan’s Baby Cow, Jones’ Tidy Productions and Fulwell 73, which is coowned by Corden.
The comedy followed the two titular characters Gavin and Stacey, played by Mathew Horne and Joanna Page, as they pursued a relationship across Barry and Essex.
It ran for three series from 2007 to 2010, returning in 2019 for a festive special which picked up 10 years after the previous instalment.
At the climax of the episode, Nessa got down on one knee to propose to Smithy, played by Corden, but viewers did not get to hear his response.
The characters had an on-off relationship during the series and in the special it was revealed they were successfully co-parenting their son, Neil.
Reflecting on the cliffhanger, Jones said: “I quite like the idea of it just lingering there and us wondering ‘What did she say? Are they together?’
“I think she’s (Nessa) still working down the slots, probably coaching the Welsh rugby team because she’s very good at that.”
The show also starred Alison Steadman and Larry Lamb as Gavin’s mother Pam and father Mick while Melanie Walters portrayed Stacey’s widowed mother Gwen.
During its time it graduated from BBC Three to BBC One and picked up multiple accolades including Bafta and British Comedy Awards gongs.
Speaking about what the show means to her, Jones said: “James and I talk about Gavin & Stacey a lot because of course we do, it’s a huge part of our lives. We love those characters. We often say ‘Oh, imagine if Bryn’s doing this and Nessa came in’. ”
She added: “People say that the show got them through bad times in their life – grieving or divorce or illness. What a compliment that is...
“I am complimented and so is James. We are completely grateful for what it’s done for us in our lives, because it has done a huge amount.”
The 2019 festive special scored the highest overnight Christmas ratings in 12 years when it aired, attracting an average audience of 11.6 million viewers, making it the biggest festive special since Christmas Day 2008.
By the New Year, it had been viewed by 17.1 million people, making it the biggest scripted programme of the decade at the time.
The special also went on to win the impact award at the National Television Awards in 2020.
Corden went on to appear in films including Into The Woods and Cats, and hosted his own hit chat show in the US, The Late Late Show With James Corden.
Jones later created and starred in the comedy drama Stella, for which she was nominated for a Bafta, and has written three novels.
THE details surrounding the Welsh Government budget might not capture the attention of every person in Wales.
In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, it’s understandable that people are more preoccupied with managing their own household finances, where every single penny matters. Yet, the impact of the
Welsh Government budget is profound and touches the lives of everyone in Wales.
During debates around next year’s budget, Plaid Cymru and I have been especially concerned about reductions to the apprenticeship budget. Significant cuts are on the horizon and, if the Welsh Government moves forward with them, they risk the fastest decline in training opportunities since devolution.
The total cut to the apprenticeship programme will be 24.5%, a combination of a 3.65% cut and the loss of previous European funding which could result in 10,000 fewer apprenticeship starts in 2024-25. Cardiff and Vale College group have estimated that the potential lifetime economic loss could be between £296m and £406m.
The Welsh Government claims that young people and the economy are a priority for them, repeating the message as predictably as clockwork, but the message ultimately rings hollow as their planned cuts completely undermine it.
Needless to say, this couldn’t come at a worse time, a time when we know that 80% of small firms in Wales cite a skills shortage as a barrier to recruitment and a time where we’re seeing an increase in demand for training opportunities.
In January, Plaid Cymru put forward a motion for debate in the Senedd urging the Welsh Government to find a long-term, sustainable funding source for apprenticeships in Wales.
While this was voted down, we will continue to press the government to rethink their proposals.
Cuts to apprenticeship funding is a shortterm decision that Wales will feel heavily in the years to come – a fully-funded apprenticeship programme is essential if Wales is to keep pace with the needs of our young people and our economy.
This is why I have been part of launching a new Cross Party Group on apprenticeships in
the Senedd. I am honoured to co-chair this alongside Huw Irranca-Davies MS. The group will act as a forum for both the sector and Senedd Members to discuss the issues facing apprenticeships and apprenticeship delivery across Wales, with the immediate goal of pressuring the Welsh Government to reverse the cuts they are threatening to make.
Apprenticeships and skills are not niceto-haves – they are fundamental to our economic recovery. The time to invest in our learners and workers is now.