The secret Gavin and Stacey plot axed by bosses that would have changed everything
EXCLUSIVE: Ruth Jones and James Corden have lifted the lid on what it was like writing the hit BBC sitcom Gavin and Stacey
Gavin and Stacey writers Ruth Jones and James Corden have unveiled a secret plotline that never aired. The Welsh actress and English comedian are best known for co-writing and starring in the critically acclaimed BBC sitcom together. The pair recently appeared at the London Palladium to discuss the series, which concluded in December 2024. During the finale, which was five years after the previous special's cliffhanger, the Gavin & Stacey episode drew 12.32 million viewers to find out what happened after Nessa proposed to Smithy. Ruth and James revealed that during the 2019 special, they almost included a different storyline.
Speaking exclusively to audience members and media at the Palladium this week, James said: "We had a sort of weird idea for the 2019 special, didn’t we?"
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"Oh, about Gavin having an affair," said Ruth, but the pair then added that they didn't keep it in the storyline as it felt it "wasn't true" to the show. The duo also mentioned that they had considered adapting the final episode into a film for the cinema, but ultimately decided against it.
Gavin and Stacey, which first hit screens in 2007, follows the romantic story of Stacey West (Joanna Page) and Gavin Shipman (Matthew Horne). The series focuses on how the couple manages to make their relationship work long-distance by travelling between Barry Island and Essex.
The series ran for three seasons, with Ruth and James stating that they had not originally prepared anything to continue the story after the end of the first season. The third series aired in 2010, with no initial plans for it to return.
The beloved comedy then made a surprise comeback and broke its own record set in 2019 when 11 million people watched the penultimate episode.
The cast also includes Rob Brydon, Larry Lamb, Alison Steadman, Melanie Walters, Sheridan Smith, Laura Aikman, Adrian Scarborough, and Julia Davis.
Gavin and Stacey: The Finale is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
