After years of speculation it has been announced Gavin and Stacey is finally set to make a comeback for the first time in five years.
James Corden will reunite with cast members including Mathew Horne, Joanna Page, Rob Brydon, Alison Steadman, Larry Lamb and Julia Davis for a Christmas special, according to Deadline.
Fans have long hoped Corden’s decision to move back to the UK following his eight-year stint hosting The Late Late Show in the US.
The critically acclaimed series follows the lives of the two titular characters Gavin from Essex and Stacey from South Wales, documenting key points in their long-distance relationship and events that bring the two families together.
Gavin And Stacey first aired in 2007 and ran for just 21 episodes, spanning three seasons and two Christmas specials. The show’s popularity was stratospheric with 2019’s Christmas special garnering a whopping 18.49million viewers.
Starring some already well-known actors, it also catapulted others into becoming household names with many going on to forge very successful careers.
Others have taken a more diverse approach, going on to write novels and even opening pilates studios.
So, what have the stars been up to since? Here, takes a look at what the cast have been doing since they burst onto our screens in the hit comedy.
Watch the iconic series, Gavin & Stacey available now only on Stan.
After years of speculation it has been announced Gavin and Stacey is finally set to make a comeback for the first time in five years (L-R James Corden, Joanna, Mathew, and Ruth pictured in 2007)
James Corden is set to reunite with cast members including Mathew Horne, Joanna Page, Rob Brydon, Alison Steadman, Larry Lamb and Julia Davis for a Christmas special (L-R James Corden, Joanna, Mathew, and Ruth pictured in 2007)
Mathew Horne – Gavin Shipman
Mathew Horne starred as the series’ titular character Gavin, an upbeat man from Essex who enjoys a beer with his pal Smithy, he went on to star in many other comedy features
Mathew starred as the series’ titular character Gavin, nicknamed Gavlar, or Gavala, he is an upbeat man from Essex who enjoys a beer with his pal Smithy and still lives with his parents.
He began his career as comedy duo Mat and MacKinnon, before going on to star on The Catherine Tate Show.
After Gavin And Stacey he continued to work with James on Horne & Corden as well as 2009’s Lesbian Vampire Killers.
He went on to star in the Bad Education Movie with Jack Whitehall and Catherine Tate’s The Nan Movie in 2020, based on the popular character from her BBC Two sketch show.
Back in 2018, Mathew narrowly avoided death after he was struck by a train on a pedestrian crossing while walking home from a night at the pub.
The star managed to walk away from the incident with nothing more than a scratch after being hit by the train at Burton Joyce station in Nottinghamshire.
The star, who did not require hospital treatment, was walking back to his parent’s home during the festive period after drinking at his local on December 20.
Following the collision a friend of Horne’s told the Sun it was a ‘miracle’ that he had not been more severely injured.
In September 2021, he secretly married set designer Celina Bassili, 27, in her native Oslo, Norway, with the couple tying the knot in the 15-acre grounds of a 1930s mansion.
The couple first went public with their romance in November 2019, after they were seen kissing while filming Gavin And Stacey in waves that summer.
Last year, Mathew shut down speculation of a Gavin & Stacey reunion, admitting that it would be hard to get some ‘successful people’ on board.
The actor claimed that fans desiring the comedy’s return ‘is not enough of a reason’, adding that the writers ‘want to make sure that they have a story’ first.
Joanna Page – Stacey Shipman
Welsh actress Joanna starred as Stacey, Gavins love interest and eventual wife, she went on to lend her voice on a series of radio s
Welsh actress Joanna starred as Stacey, Gavin’s love interest and eventual wife.
Before being cast in the series she was best known for playing pornstar Just Judy in the 2003 romantic comedy Love Actually.
When Gavin And Stacey ended, she lent her voice on a series of radio s and the Christmas TV advertising campaign for Carphone Warehouse.
She has also starred in a number of TV series from Doctor Who to Midsummer Murders and even featured on The Masked Singer.
Joanna became the second celebrity to be eliminated from the 2022 ITV competition, after being unveiled as Pig.
The actress is married to former Emmerdale actor James Thornton, and they share four children – Eva, 10, Kit, seven, Noah, six, and Boe, 16 months.
Last year, she revealed she made an ‘impulsive’ decision to have her fallopian tubes snipped as at 46, she feels she is ‘too old’ to have a fifth child.
James Corden – Neil ‘Smithy’ Smith
Co-writer James took on the role of Gavin’s best friend from primary school, Smithy, this week the TV personality ended his eight year run on
Co-writer James took on the role of Gavin’s best friend from primary school, Smithy, who is interested in Stacey’s best friend Nessa.
The star’s first acting roles featured parts in British soap opera Hollyoaks, Little Britain and Teachers. He also appeared in a commercial for soft drink brand Tango in 1998.
The actor turned TV host also had a role as a BBC reporter, which saw him interview American rock singer Meat Loaf.
Last year he spoke about the prospect of a Gavin And Stacey reunion – which left fans brokenhearted.
Speaking about the possibility of a show return he admitted the distance between himself and Ruth Jones meant that they could not write remotely.
However, he then ended his eight year run on his US late night television show, The Late Late Show, by performing a piano ballad with several references to his 1,200 episodes.
One of its most-loved segments is Carpool Karaoke, where Corden drives around mystery celebrity guests whilst they sing to music playing from the car’s radio. The final clip of Carpool Karaoke featured British star Adele.
PR experts have claimed Corden could be set for a big-money move to ITV and even replace rival Jonathan Ross as part of a charm offensive to ‘win back the British public’ after a slew of negative headlines while in the US.
Away from the screen, Corden has recently been beset with negative press about his life away from the show, including a bust-up with the owner of a restaurant who banned him for being rude to staff for which he has since apologised.
The father-of-three from High Wycombe bid a tearful farewell to the States, where his wife Julia has set up a global interior design business that counts the Beckhams and the Clooneys among its clientele.
Ruth Jones – Nessa Jenkins
Stealing the show as much-loved Nessa, Ruth portrayed the hilarious amusement park worker. Ruth has since penned a series of novels (pictured right this week)
Stealing the show as much-loved character Nessa, Ruth portrayed the hilarious amusement park worker and ‘original member’ of All Saints and who becomes pregnant with Smithy’s child after a one-night-stand.
Prior to the comedy series she worked on Fat Friends alongside James and also starred on Little Britain.
After Gavin And Stacey she went on to work on period dramas and front her own chat show, Ruth Jones’ Christmas Cracker.
In 2018, she published her first novel Never Greener, a romance about second chances, going on to write two more.
Recently, Ruth revealed she was worried readers would compare her latest work to her smash-hit sitcom Gavin & Stacey.
The actress said there was ‘definitely pressure’ when she prepared to publish her first book.
Speaking to Good Housekeeping, ahead of the publication of her third novel Love Untold, she went on to say that she would always be friends with co-creator James Corden as they both owe so much to the show.
Speaking about her foray into novel writing she told the publication: ‘When I came to do the second [novel], I thought, ‘Oh gosh, how am I going to match that?’ This time around, who knows? My sister and one of my best friends have read it – they enjoyed it at least!’
Rob Brydon – Bryn West
Starring as Uncle Bryn in the hit series, Rob played the brother of Stacey’s deceased father, a single man in his late forties (pictured right in 2021)
Starring as Uncle Bryn in the hit series, Rob played the brother of Stacey’s deceased father, a single man in his late forties who harboured a dark secret with his nephew Jason.
Rob didn’t taste any kind of substantial success until he reached his mid-30s, he previously worked as a DJ on Radio Wales for six years before he was sacked.
Since starring in the series he has gone on to feature in further comedies such as The Trip and presented Would I Lie to You?.
He has also fronted his own show, The Rob Brydon show and The Guess List.
Like his Gavin And Stacey character Rob is a keen singer and toured alongside an eight-piece band last year, belting out everything from Elvis renditions to Tom Waits.
Last year, Rob came to the defence of Gavin & Stacey co-star James following a string of bad publicity.
Last year the Late Late show host was accused of ‘stealing’ jokes from other comedians as well as being banned briefly from a swanky New York restaurant due to his ‘rude’ behaviour.
Rob said that he didn’t believe James received ‘enough plaudits for his success’ and ‘massive’ show in the US.
Melanie Walters – Gwen West
Melanie features as Stacey’s widowed mum Gwen, a housewife who offers to cook omelettes. The actress has since set up Practical Pilates in Swansea (pictured right in 2020)
Melanie features as Stacey’s widowed mum Gwen, a housewife who regularly offers to cook omelettes and is often taken advantage of by Nessa.
After the show she starred in Being Human, Casualty and Stella alongside Ruth Jones, but decided to change her career.
She has since set up Practical Pilates in Swansea and now owns a series of holiday lets in the Gower Peninsula.
Larry Lamb – Mick Shipman
Starring as Gavin’ down to earth father Mick, Larry Lamb’s character was a claming influence on his wife Pam and enjoyed a beer at the pub and a round of golf (pictured right in 2023)
Starring as Gavin’ down to earth father Mick, Larry Lamb’s character was a claming influence on his wife Pam and enjoyed a beer at the pub and a round of golf.
But he has also portrayed a slew of other characters over the years, including Archie Mitchell from 2008-2010 in the BBC soap opera,
He has also took to the small screen as himself too, appearing on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2016
In 2022, Larry took to the floor alongside five other celebrities for the festive episode of Strictly Come Dancing, and was paired with professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova.
Alison Steadman as Pam Shipman
She’s iconic for playing Gavin’s over-the-top Essex mum Pam and certainly provided the laughs during the Brit Sitcom (pictured left on the show)
She’s iconic for playing Gavin’s over-the-top Essex mum Pam and certainly provided the laughs during the Brit Sitcom.
She’s also won several awards including the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress for Life Is Sweet in 1991. She also won an Olivier Award for Best Actress in 1993 for her role in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.
And Alison Steadman is still going strong in the acting industry since her stint on the 2007 show.
Since then, her most recent TV stint was also as a beloved TV mother in sitcom Here We Go – where she portrays Sue Jessop.
Alison is also a real life mother to her two sons; Toby and Leo, who she shares with ex husband Mike Leigh.
She now lives in London with her partner, Welsh actor Michael Elwyn, 80.
Russell Tovey as Budgie
Russell Tovey (left, on the show) started out as a child actor. He went on to play Budgie on Gavin and Stacey
Russell Tovey started out as a child actor aged 11 but later played Budgie on Gavin and Stacey.
He is best known these days for playing werewolf George Sands in Being Human alongside Aidan Turner.
The 42-year-old played Smithy’s mate Budgie in four episodes of Gavin and Stacey in all three series from 2007 to 2009.
He reportedly has a net worth of around £3million.
His first television acting credit was in CBBC drama Mud in 2004.