BBC Gavin and Stacey’s Joanne Page makes stance clear on future episodes ahead of Xmas ‘finale’
The beloved sitcom Gavin & Stacey is set to return this Christmas Day with what has been billed as its final ever episode.
While fans eagerly await the Christmas special, star Joanna Page has cast doubt on the show’s future beyond this episode and whether this really is it for the Barry Island-based comedy.
The show, which first captured hearts with its Anglo-Welsh tale of love, friendship and family dysfunction 17 years ago, will reunite its star-studded cast for a festive special.
Following the 2019 Christmas special, which drew a remarkable 18.5 million viewers, anticipation and expectation for the return to Billericay and Barry are now at fever pitch.
Page, who plays Stacey, explained that she was nervous about returning to her iconic role.
Speaking to the RadioTimes, the 47-year-old actress initially questioned how she would fit back into the mould of “that really excitable, bubbly girl”.
Page’s mother reminded her that, like herself, the character has evolved over time – with both becoming busy mothers of multiple children.
The actress and mum of four also prepared fans with the news that this may be the last outing for the cast – but that she’d be more than open to another comeback.
“I would love to come back every year,” she says. “But I genuinely don’t think there will ever be anymore and I can really see why.”
Her somewhat ominous comment may only increase the agonising wait among fans to find out the character’s fate.
Such was the secrecy of the finale’s plot that the cast was even kept in the dark about the script until just weeks before filming.
Page revealed to the BBC that she first received the script while stopped at a motorway service station.
“Oh my God, I’ve got this thing on my phone which loads of people here in the service station would love to see,” she thought while waiting in line for a burger.
Even at home, the actress had to be vigilant. She discovered her 11-year-old daughter had hidden an iPad under her bed to record her practising lines.
“The thought of being the person who c***s up and reveals something is absolutely terrifying,” Page admitted.
The 47-year-old has enormous affection for Gavin & Stacey, which launched her career when she began filming aged 29.
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As well as her own personal attachment, Page credits the show with “really putting Wales on the map”.
“Wales becoming like the trendy thing and people embracing all of us that was just so huge,” she explained to the BBC.
Page anticipates an emotional viewing of the Christmas special with her family.
“We’ll try to watch the special, but I’ll have a sherry or a wine and be shouting at everyone to be quiet, and then I’ll start crying because it’s the last one,” she concluded.