40 Facts About Gavin And Stacey

The Origins of Gavin and Stacey

Gavin and Stacey, a beloved British sitcom, has charmed audiences with its humor and relatable characters. Let's dive into some fascinating facts about this iconic series.

1. Serial Killer Surnames: The writers, James Corden and Ruth Jones, thought it would be humorous to give the two main families surnames inspired by infamous British serial killers. Gavin's family are the Shipmans, named after Dr. Harold Shipman, one of the most prolific serial murderers in history. Stacey's family are the Wests, named after Fred and Rose West.

2. Essex Scenes Not Filmed in Essex: Despite the show being set in Billericay, Essex, most of the Essex-based scenes were not filmed in Essex. The Shipman family home is actually located in Dinas Powys, a village just one mile from Barry Island in Wales.

3. Smithy and Nessa's Real-Life Relationship: James Corden (Smithy) and Sheridan Smith (Rudi) dated in real life from 2007 to 2009. They were even engaged before calling things off. Sheridan revealed she was not asked to return for the Christmas Special in 2024.

4. Budgie's Real-Life Connection: Russell Tovey, who played Gavin and Smithy's friend Budgie, is the only cast member actually from Billericay, Essex. His role in Gavin and Stacey holds a special place in his heart.

5. The "Jamdani Hash" Curry: During the show's final season, fan favorite Nessa orders a 'Jamdani Hash' curry from a takeaway. This fictional dish was so popular that a Welsh Indian restaurant, Mint And Mustard, added it to their menu in the show's honor. Ruth Jones had previously listed the establishment as one of her favorite places to eat, and it has been booked out every weekend since.

Inspirations and Real-Life Connections

The characters and storylines in Gavin and Stacey are inspired by real-life experiences and people. Here are some intriguing connections.

6. Real-Life Inspirations: The characters of Gavin and Stacey are inspired by real people. James Corden has a best friend named Gavin whom he has known since he was six. This real-life Gavin met his wife over the phone through work, inspiring the love story between James and Ruth.

7. The Mystery of the Fishing Trip: One of the longest-running gags in Gavin and Stacey is the mystery of what happened between Bryn and Jason on that fishing trip. The storyline could potentially be resolved in the 2024 Christmas Special, but even the writers, Ruth and James, don't know what went on.

8. Doris's Off-Beat Drumming: In season 3, episode 1, the characters attend the christening of Neil the baby. Bryn performs "Something Inside So Strong" by Labi Siffre to the backing track of Doris's off-beat drumming. However, in a behind-the-scenes special, it was revealed that Doris's drumming wasn't meant to be off-beat at all. A producer tried to help actress Maggie John hit the beat, but she just couldn't get it.

9. Nessa's Missing Dragon Tattoo: Ruth Jones revealed that there is a period in season 2 where Nessa's Welsh dragon tattoo is missing a leg. She wouldn't reveal the exact moment and instead challenged fans to figure it out.

10. Original Intention: Gavin and Stacey was originally intended as a standalone hour-long episode centered around a family wedding in Wales. The BBC liked the backstory so much that they requested Corden and Jones to expand it into a six-episode series, culminating in the initial wedding episode.

Characters and Their Ages

The ages and relationships of the characters add depth to the show. Let's explore some interesting details.

11. Main Characters' Ages: The main characters are portrayed by Matthew Horne (Gavin), Joanna Page (Stacey), James Corden (Smithy), and Ruth Jones (Nessa). The show begins with both Gavin and Stacey being 26 years old, while Nessa is approximately 44 years old at that time.

12. USA Remakes: Despite its popularity, Gavin and Stacey has been turned down for three USA remakes. The show's unique British charm and cultural references make it challenging to adapt for an American audience.

13. Christmas Specials: The show has had several Christmas specials, including one in 2019 that attracted 18.49 million viewers in the UK, making it the most-viewed non-sporting event in a decade and the most-watched comedy in 17 years.

14. Direction and Production: Gavin and Stacey was directed by Christine Gernon, who had previously directed other BBC sitcoms like One Foot in the Grave. The show was produced by Baby Cow Productions for BBC Wales and consisted of three series with a total of twenty episodes.

15. Awards and Recognition: Gavin and Stacey has received numerous awards and nominations. It won several awards, including the British Academy Television Awards (BAFTA) Audience Award and the British Comedy Awards Best TV Comedy Award in 2008. In 2019, it was named the 17th-greatest British sitcom in a poll by Radio Times.

Cult Following and Real-Life Inspirations

The show's impact extends beyond its original run, with many fans continuing to watch and rewatch the series. Here are some more fascinating facts.

16. Cult Following: The show has a dedicated cult following. Its unique blend of humor, relatable characters, and heartwarming storylines has made it a favorite among audiences. The show's impact extends beyond its original run, with many fans continuing to watch and rewatch the series.

17. Real-Life Inspiration for Characters: The characters in Gavin and Stacey are inspired by real people. James Corden's best friend Gavin inspired the character of Gavin Shipman, while Ruth Jones's own experiences and relationships influenced the character of Nessa.

18. Phone Calls as a Plot Device: Almost every episode of Gavin and Stacey begins with a phone call between Gavin and Stacey. This device helps to set the tone for the episode and provides a glimpse into their relationship.

19. Smithy and Rudi's Real-Life Relationship: James Corden and Sheridan Smith, who played brother and sister on the show, were actually a couple in real life from 2007 to 2009. They were reportedly engaged before permanently splitting up.

20. Nessa's Age: Nessa's age is never explicitly revealed on the show, but it is mentioned that when Stacey was 17, Nessa was around 35. This makes Nessa approximately 18 years older than Stacey. At the start of the series, Nessa would be around 44 years old, roughly the same age as Uncle Bryn.

Memorable Episodes and Details

Certain episodes and details have left a lasting impression on fans. Let's take a look at some of these memorable moments.

21. The Elvis Convention: The episode featuring an Elvis convention in Barry is based on a real annual convention. However, the real convention takes place in Porthcawl, another seaside town approximately 25 miles away from Barry.

22. Nessa's Dragon Tattoo: During the Gavin and Stacey DVD commentary recording, it was revealed that Nessa's Welsh dragon tattoo is missing a leg at some point in season 2. Ruth Jones challenges viewers to spot this detail.

23. Family Dynamics: The show revolves around the lives of two families: one in Billericay, Essex, and the other in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan. The characters' eccentric family dynamics add to the show's humor and charm.

24. Love Story: The show begins with a blind date between Gavin and Stacey, which blossoms into a whirlwind romance. The audience gets to see their love story unfold as they navigate their long-distance relationship and interact with their eccentric families.

25. Supporting Characters: Supporting characters like Pam and Mick (Gavin's parents), Gwen (Stacey's mother), and Uncle Bryn add depth to the show. These characters often provide comedic relief and emotional support to the main characters.

Day Jobs and Relationships

The show focuses more on personal relationships than professional lives. Here are some interesting facts about the characters' day jobs and relationships.

26. Day Jobs: The main characters' day jobs are not explicitly detailed in the show. However, it is mentioned that they work with computers. This lack of detail emphasizes the show's focus on their personal relationships rather than their professional lives.

27. Back-Up Friends: Smithy and Nessa serve as back-up friends who are dragged reluctantly along to provide support for Gavin and Stacey's dates. Their unenthusiastic yet loyal nature adds to the show's humor.

28. Family Members: The family members, ranging from sturdy to erratic, wish Gavin and Stacey the best. Most of us have people like this in our lives; our nearest and dearest family members who, despite getting on our nerves regularly, always seem to pull through.

29. Pilot Episode: The pilot episode slots all these pieces into place within about five minutes. Most people who stuck around to watch all twenty episodes found themselves invested in the characters and their relationships.

30. Smithy's True Feelings: It takes Smithy until the final episode to announce his true feelings for Nessa. Even then, he admits that he only truly likes select moments of their time together. Love isn’t black and white; sometimes it’s impossible to make sense of.

Popularity and Critical Acclaim

Gavin and Stacey's popularity and critical acclaim have cemented its place in British television history. Here are some more facts about its success.

31. BBC Three Originals: Gavin and Stacey began its life on BBC Three in May 2007 before transitioning to BBC Two and eventually BBC One as its popularity grew rapidly across its all-too-brief run of three years and twenty episodes.

32. Critical Acclaim: The beauty of Gavin and Stacey lies in its simplicity. The set-up is one that could happen to any of us; an engrossing love story spawned from the mundanity of office life. The show opens with a snapshot of ordinary existence: Gavin Shipman and Stacey West, both trudging through their boring office jobs with desks, phones, and computers.

33. Bond Between Gavin and Stacey: The bond that the titular duo has formed over countless work-related phone calls is central to the show. These day jobs aren’t really important; what is important is the bond they have formed.

34. Blind Date: A blind date is something that happens to a lot of us over the course of our lifetimes. Taking a gamble, putting yourself out there, and putting hope in the universe that the potential romantic pairing will work out for the best is a common experience.

35. Best Mates: Enter Smithy and Nessa, the unenthusiastic chums who are dragged reluctantly along to provide back-up should the date go awry. They are the best mates who won’t hear the end of it, providing comedic relief and emotional support.

Family Members and Their Roles

The family members in Gavin and Stacey play crucial roles in the story. Here are some interesting facts about them.

36. Family Members' Roles: Mick, Pam, Bryn, and Gwen serve as the family members who wish Gavin and Stacey the best. They range from sturdy to erratic, adding depth and humor to the show.

37. Elvis Convention Inspiration: The episode featuring an Elvis convention in Barry is based on a real annual convention. However, the real convention takes place in Porthcawl, another seaside town approximately 25 miles away from Barry.

38. Nessa's Age Revelation: In the 2019 Christmas Special, Nessa mentions that when Stacey was 17, she was around 35. This makes her approximately 18 years older than Stacey. At the start of the series, Nessa would be around 44 years old, roughly the same age as Uncle Bryn.

39. Nessa's Age Controversy: Some sources state Nessa's age as 56 in 2019, indicating that she is in her mid-fifties. This aligns with various time periods mentioned in her anecdotes, although she doesn’t look it.

40. Legacy and Impact: Gavin and Stacey has left a lasting legacy in British television. Its unique blend of humor, relatable characters, and heartwarming storylines has made it a favorite among audiences. The show continues to be celebrated for its impact on British comedy and its enduring popularity.

The Legacy of Gavin and Stacey

Gavin and Stacey isn't just a sitcom; it's a cultural gem. With its unique blend of humor, relatable characters, and heartwarming storylines, the show has left an indelible mark on British television. From the quirky family dynamics to the unforgettable love story between Gavin and Stacey, every element of the show resonates with audiences. The clever writing by James Corden and Ruth Jones, combined with stellar performances from the cast, has made it a timeless classic. As fans eagerly await the final special episode airing on Christmas Day 2024, the show's legacy continues to grow. Whether it's the mystery of the fishing trip or Nessa's iconic one-liners, Gavin and Stacey will always hold a special place in the hearts of its viewers. Here's to the laughs, the tears, and the unforgettable moments that make Gavin and Stacey a true masterpiece.