Gavin and Stacey: Third time lucky?

Dec 14 2009 By Andy Welch

Gavin and Stacey is one of the most popular series on TV, and we're halfway through the final series. Writers and stars James Corden and Ruth Jones, along with the eponymous couple Mathew Horne and Joanna Page, reveal how emotional it was filming their last scenes and if we might see the lovable characters again.

With its catalogue of Welsh catchphrases, this warm-hearted, realistic and original series deserves every one of the many awards its won since taking BBC Three by storm in 2007. In that time, stars Mathew Horne and James Corden have become household names, releasing a film, Lesbian Vampire Killers, and their own sketch show.

Meanwhile Ruth Jones has become an in-demand character actor, Rob Brydon has performed one of the country's most popular one-man shows, and Larry Lamb has joined the long list of Albert Square baddies as Archie in EastEnders.

But all good things must come to an end, and that final curtain is very much in sight as the programme's third and final series continues.

The show is currently halfway through season three and the titular couple are back together after their break in the second series and seemingly happier-than-ever Gavin has moved to Barry Island to be with Stacey's family.

"Stacey's loved moving back to Wales," says Joanna Page, who plays Stacey. "She's incredibly happy surrounded by her family and friends and she'd be happy to live like that forever. Everything is perfect. She has her husband back and her home life sorted."

Baby Neil, born at the end of series two, has now been christened - Neil Noel Edmond Smith - causing no small amount of heartache for parents Smithy and Nessa. As if their situation wasn't difficult enough, both had an errant parent make an appearance on baby Neil's special day.

"We wanted a big occasion to kick off the third series and as well as that, we always need some kind of gathering as an excuse to bring together our English and Welsh contingent," says Ruth Jones, who both plays Nessa and co-writes the comedy with Smithy himself, James Corden.

"The biggest difference about this series compared to the rest is that the later episodes are set in the summer, so we get to see Barry Island in the sun!" she continues. "There's a whole episode set on the beach which was really fun to film. Loads of people were there watching too, so it was a real party atmosphere. And we were so lucky with the weather - later on in the shoot we had torrential rain, and the place where we were filming nearly flooded.

"So those beach days... the gods of Barry were smiling down on us."

The weather might have been kind to them, but it didn't mean there weren't problems.

"I hid from the crowds and the sun in one of those little tent-type sun-breakers," admits Mathew Horne. "I'm not good with crowds and sand."

"There's also a scene we did where Pam [Alison Steadman] and Dawn [Julia Davis] are having a conversation about a DVD," says Ruth. "Alison, Adrian [Scarborough] and Julia just couldn't get through it without laughing.

"In the end our director had to send everyone off for a tea break, and even after that they were still laughing... They got there in the end but it was a real struggle. The out-takes will be on the DVD extras!"

As we saw in the first episode, Nessa's dad Neil made an appearance for his grandson's christening, the first time he'd shown his face in Barry for some time.

"We wanted Neil the father to go against what people might expect of Nessa's dad," says Ruth. "Ifan Huw Dafydd plays him brilliantly, because although he's clearly quite dodgy and has a past, he's still a warm and friendly guy. God only knows where Nessa's mother is though."

Neil the father has now moved into Dave's caravan, making it rather cosy in there and causing tension between the couple, who are now engaged and due to marry before the end of the series.

But what of Smithy? What's occurrin' with him?

The way he's behaving, turning up at Pam and Mick's and crying at the dining table, you'd think his best mate was actually dead, not three or four hour's drive away. But there's also the fact that another man is bringing up his son to upset him.

In last year's Christmas special, he told Nessa not to marry Dave Coaches. He and the mother of his child don't get on particularly well, but the ice is definitely melting.

They have similar attitudes to the etiquette of group-ordering Indian takeaway, at least - you get your own dish, eat that and don't ask for a taste of anyone else's.

It would be nice to think they end up together and live happily ever after. Unsurprisingly, none of the cast are willing to comment on how any aspect of the storyline unfolds.

"I can't possibly even begin to tell you that sort of information," says James Corden.

While writing partner Ruth says: "Their relationship is quite bizarre - Smithy doesn't want Ness, but he doesn't want Dave to have her either. There's certainly no love lost between them. But do you want me to tell you what happens in the end?

"Of course you don't. You'll have to wait and see!"

Ever since Ruth and James announced this was going to be the final series, rumours have abounded of a Gavin And Stacey film. Back in the Sixties and Seventies, there were often feature films made of the days' most-loved sitcoms.

Steptoe And Son, On The Buses, George And Mildred, Dad's Army and Porridge are just a few of the shows that enjoyed big-screen outings, and with the right storyline, the idea of a Gavin And Stacey movie is appealing.

Not so, say the writers.

"I think some things should be on TV and some things should be on stage and some things should be films," says James. "Gavin And Stacey is a TV show and that's where it's best."

"We think why spoil it by trying to turn it into something it's not?" continues Ruth. "Now Gavin And Stacey the musical... that's a different story!"

This doesn't mean the end for the loveable characters, however.

"There will never be another series of the show," says James. "Ruth and I are definite about that. As far as specials are concerned, I think if we had an idea for a story with these characters then maybe, but I don't think that'll happen anytime soon.

"We are going to work on something, thought. I can't wait to get back in a room with her and start writing our next project. I'm so excited about it."

Crackin'.

Gavin And Stacey - Extra time

:: Gavin And Stacey has so far won two Baftas and two British Comedy Awards among numerous others.

:: After singing Islands In The Stream in series two, Rob Brydon, as Uncle Bryn, and Ruth Jones as Nessa, released the song for Comic Relief. Tom Jones also sang on the track.

:: More than seven million tuned in for last year's Christmas special.

:: An American version is currently in development by US network ABC.

:: The show's theme tune is Run by Manchester-based songwriter Stephen Fretwell.