Gavin and Stacey cast’s biggest transformations since first episode 17 years ago-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro

It’s been nearly two decades since Gavin and Stacey first came to TV (Picture: PA Wire)

The countdown is on until Gavin and Stacey concludes forever (sob) on its 2024 Christmas special.

It has been five long years since the comedy was last on our screens, leaving fans with a cliffhanger with an unanswered proposal after Nessa (Ruth Jones) popped the question to Smithy (James Corden).

But it has been a whole 17 years (gasp!) since the beloved BBC sitcom first aired – and a whole lot has changed for Gavin (Mathew Horne) and Stacey (Joanna Page) since they fell in love.

There have been children, marriages, a move to Essex and Barry Island, and then back again, to name but a few huge life milestones over the past nearly two decades.

And that means there have been some huge transformations – Nessa becoming more vulnerable for one, since the first episode of Gavin and Stacey.

As we prepare to watch the comedy series for a final time on Christmas day, here all all the characters then and now/

Ruth Jones as Nessa

Everyone wants to know if Nessa said yes to Smithy’s proposal (Picture: BBC)

Oh, what’s occurin’? Well, a lot actually for Nessa who has been on a romantic rollercoaster since the first episode.

We first meet Nessa as Stacey’s chaperone when she meets Gavin, and his best friend, Smithy, for the first time in London.

Everyone is now dying to know if she got hitched to Smithy after the last special ended on her proposing to him.

James Corden as Smithy

Smithy has become a dad since the first episode of Gavin and Stacey (Picture: BBC)

Smithy is still the same old Smithy – and still prizes hanging out with his best friend Gav-a-lar.

However, the most noticeable change in his life is becoming a dad after Nessa gave birth to their child, Neil the baby.

At the time of the last Christmas special, he was having relationship issues with his girlfriend Sonia (Laura Aikman).

Joanna Page as Stacey

Stacey moved from Wales to Essex – and then back again (Picture: BBC)

Stacey’s life changed when she met the one, Gavin, in the first episode but their long distance relationship did have some snags.

After marrying Gavin, Stacey moved to Essex to live with him but was incredibly homesick for Barry Island and told him she was moving back.

Gavin, though, followed her home with the couple settling in Wales with their three children.

Mathew Horne as Gavin

Gavin has now settled in Wales with Stacey and their children (Picture: BBC)

Gavin is arguably TV’s greatest everyman – exactly the kind of person you’d chat to in your local.

Since falling in love with Stacey, the couple have experienced relatable problems, including where to live and infertility.

While he did not initially love Barry Island, he moved there for Stacey and now enjoys the Welsh seaside resort.

Alison Steadman as Pam

Pam came around after Gavin and Stacey moved away from Essex (Picture: BBC)

Pam is an Essex housewife with a heart of gold who dotes on her son Gavin and treats Smithy as one of her own.

Her only strife in Gavin and Stacey is the couple deciding to move to Wales and she accuses Stacey of ‘stealing her son.’

However, she apologised the next morning and is now a regular visitor to Barry. It’s unclear if she’s still acting out sexual fantasies of Charles and Camilla now they’re King and Queen.

Larry Lamb as Mick

Mick has always been an easy-going character in Gavin and Stacey (Picture: BBC)

Mick has been happy as Larry since the first episode of Gavin and Stacey, enjoying the life he built with Pam.

Throughout the whole series, he has just made the most of running his own successful company, going to the pub quiz every Tuesday.

In the upcoming special, it’s likely that not much has changed for Mick as he’s already got it golden.

Rob Brydon as Uncle Bryn

Will Uncle Bryn finally revealed what happened on that fishing trip? (Picture: BBC)

Uncle Bryn got to welcome another family member into his fold when Stacey married Gavin.

He became the talk of the town in series 2 when he installed a home gym and began working out shirtless with Smithy.

The main disturbing event in his life is an unspecified fishing incident which drove a wedge between himself and his nephew Jason (Robert Wilfort) and it’s expected what actually happened will be revealed in the Christmas special….

Melanie Walters as Gwen

Gwen is like a mother to Stacey’s best friend Nessa (Picture: BBC)

Gwen has been offering up her omlettes (literally, not a euphemism) since Gavin and Stacey day one.

As well as caring for her children Stacey and Jason, she’s also Nessa’s honorary mum, with Nessa taking advantage of her exactly like a daughter would.

The big question on everyone’s lips is will Gwen be walking Nessa down the aisle if she does indeed get married to Smithy?

Gavin and Stacey: The Finale will air at 9pm on Christmas Day on BBC One and iPlayer. The documentary Gavin and Stacey: A Fond Farewell will be shown at 7pm on New Year’s Day on BBC One and iPlayer.

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