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MeIt’s a classic romcom story: An Essex guy from Billericay meets a Welsh girl from Barry, they declare their love at the train station, they decide to walk through the train station before being pulled over by the police and – with the help of a fake lady, a crackin’ friend who had an affair with John Prescott and a country fishing trip.
Gavin & Stacey was the 2007 love child of Ruth Jones and James Corden, following an ordinary family played by Mathew Horne and Joanna Page. Friends Nessa (Jones) and Smithy (Corden) become “do they/don’t they?” The show’s relationship – and Gavin’s parents, Pam (Alison Steadman) and Mick (Larry Lamb), were a testament to their enduring love – but Gavin and Stacey were the couple we could all relate to. So much so that they are voted on regularly One of Britain’s most successful TV families.
After three consecutive shows, the last Christmas special was one of the most watched TV shows of the century. And it’s still catching people around the world: Margot Robbie announced recently his loverand remembered yelling at Bette Midler in a restaurant – then sending Midler a DVD collection.
It’s been almost 20 years since the pilot, and Horne and Page are working together again, on the Chatty Food podcast Table for Four. On Zoom, Page excitedly describes a “pinch, punch, first moon” game he just played with his kids. “It’s nice to hear you talk for once, Jo,” Horne said as she joined the call. “You need to come out of your shell a little bit.”
And with the first murmur, he remembers how he became so beloved.
Do you remember the first time you met?
JP: I had to go in and read with Matt. I was very nervous because I knew it was Catherine Tate and I thought she would be fine. But he was very lovely and we clicked and did things together.
MH: In one of the scenes we had to kiss. It was very brave of them! You wouldn’t have it now – you’d have a relationship coordinator.
JP: That’s crazy, isn’t it? I’m just like: “Oh, I’m Jo, nice to meet you.” Then two minutes later, we are kissing.
MH: But I was a little nervous because I knew Jo went to Rada – a good player. Maybe the kiss broke the ice.
JP: I also remember that you and the producer were talking about your Fred Perry T-shirts and I thought: “Oh my God, they sound like a cup…
MH: You immediately went into toxic masculinity.
JP: I did. Then I was made to kiss you.
What do Gavin and Stacey love?
JP: It was a big explosion of love at first. I don’t think you can explain the kind of chemistry. It’s natural. But I think Gavin is safe and secure. She no longer has her father – she has Uncle Bryn who has been looking out for her – and I think the stability of a safe, happy family is what Stacey was looking for.
MH: The main thing is that the connection was emotional. That wasn’t a picture on Tinder. Or a physical meeting. It wasn’t seeing him in the bar. It was a phone call. When they met, he had already made up his mind that this was the one. As humans, we try to do that.
What are your favorite romantic moments?
MH: I loved meeting you on the island when you gave me a beer mat in 2019 special. There was something very inspiring because we came back after 10 years and it was an intimate, romantic moment – but on Barry’s tour with thousands of people around 1 o’clock.
JP: In the early years, I loved simple things like sitting down and sharing a bag of chips. It is very beautiful. I also liked when they had a lot of arguments and they ended up dating, like in the first series, Gavin found out that Stacey had been in a relationship five times before. He answers the door in his pajamas, and he’s like: “Is this what you’re going to tell me?” It’s fun to do those shows – the love, the fun, the romance and the “Oh my God, what’s going to happen?”
But, oh my, the beautiful moment was when we left the doctor and decided we couldn’t have children.
MH: Really, really amazing. It’s an issue that I think has become important to many couples. At that time I had not given birth to children, and I did not know what this meant for people.
JP: It’s not until you have children that you really understand how things work. I remember we were together in the kitchen and I hugged you and then Stacey said: “It’s always sad, isn’t it?”
Is there anything you wish Gavin and Stacey had done differently?
JP: I loved everything – I just wish we could have gone deeper. But as the show went on, you had two families to deal with, and another great relationship. So, you know, you have to share everything out.
When did you realize that this was a love story for years?
JP: I have a lot of people who come up to me and say: “We’re the real Gavin and Stacey.” The show, when you think about it, is quite traditional. It’s just two families – well, besides Nessa. But people from all over the world came in because they just said: “I want a relationship like this; I want to meet him.”
MH: When Anna Maxwell Martin came (set up) for a few days at the end, she said to James that she could not think of a better representation of love, friendship and family.
What do you like in real life?
MH: Amazing. If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me. I mean, my romantic style is… I know this is an interview, but it’s a private thing, so, for you, Jo.
JP: I am very romantic. Not in the way of handing over loads of material goods and sweeping you off your feet. But when I fall in love, I will give you everything. I will give my whole life! I just want to talk and take everything out of you and give you everything and go on a big, big, big, amazing journey together.
MH: I would agree with that. Being heard, understood and made safe is as loving as it gets. Maybe that’s what I accepted when I got old.
Which has been a huge fan reaction to Gavin and Stacey?
JP: People have named their children after Gavin and Stacey. All kinds of animals have been given their names. The most difficult thing is when you meet a person and he has been seriously ill or because of the end of a family and you can see that he is still in great danger and he says: “It saved my life, it was the only thing that got me through.”
MH: It is a great privilege to be part of things that can affect people like this. Being a part of entertainment that has helped people in their lives is amazing.
JP: But another credit to this show is that I often post pictures of Stacey and some of them have been there. And most of them are from men asking if I will sign.
MH: Also, the guy who got Smithy’s brand on his stomach!
JP: I witnessed it! It was above her stomach: James’s face and the whole plan. It made me jealous because I don’t think anyone has ever put my face on them.
MH: Maybe after this interview is published, Jo. There will be a Guardian reader out there.
What was your real relationship like on camera?
MH: We wouldn’t be best friends. Only Jo and I know what it’s like to be Gavin and Stacey. Even our friends don’t know. Therefore, naturally we have a special agreement, which was put before the people, which has led to great problems and other problems. Having support from someone who knows what it’s like is something I always appreciate.
JP: It is very beautiful. But I get that too! We got into this business, oh my god, when we were in our late twenties and it was a whirlwind. It was my first job where it was a big lead role. And to work with Mat, there was chemistry and it always felt good. Everything just feels natural.
Now I’m in my 40’s and our friendship has lasted – and he still makes me feel the same way. I can be very outgoing and I’m very happy, so I love Mat’s source of calm and the fact that he always makes me laugh. I feel very safe when I’m with him.
Have you saved something that reminds you? Gavin and Stacey?
MH: I found our reading materials.
JP: Yes, me too!
MH: I have the beer mats you gave me. I really appreciate that.
JP: And from the end I kept Stacey’s denim jacket and her yellow dress, and the painting that was in her living room. And then this purple glass chicken thing, which is on my bookcase on the floor, because I thought I was alone need that chicken.
What can Gavin and Stacey teach us about love?
MH: It is not physical; it’s about deep connection.
JP: There’s no need to worry about finding love or trying to be what someone else wants you to be. Gavin and Stacey were alone. (I mean, Stacey was lying a little, wasn’t she? Besides…) I think it teaches you that love is there and it’s not something you go looking for.
When it hits, it hits.
