‘It’s such a privilege to be able to end a show on your own terms’ : Features 2024 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide

James Corden on the end of Gavin and Stacey

As Gavin & Stacey comes to an end,  James Corden – who writes the series with his co-star Ruth Jones – reflects on the coemdy’s ‘intoxicating’ success and emotional finale…

How did it feel to be back writing and filming for Gavin & Stacey for the last time?

It felt incredible. I mean for a long time when Ruth and I were writing the show we actually didn’t know if it would ever come to fruition because really what we’ve always done is just write it for ourselves and then figure out if we think it might be good enough for an audience. It just felt so good to be back in a room with Ruth and then thinking we may have happened on a story which might be satisfying. 

In 2007 the first episode aired, can you remember what it was like to be a part of the show in those early years?

When I think back to when we started the show, almost 20 years to the day, I couldn’t feel more like a different person really. Being part of the show, as soon as it started to become successful, was incredibly intoxicating. It was discombobulating really cause it seemed to go from 0-10 very very quickly but I’ve only fond memories of that whole time.

Did you ever imagine you’d still be here writing the show all these years later?

I don’t think anybody when you start writing a TV show thinks you’ll be still writing these characters 20 years on, it’s nuts really. But I think when we finished the last special in the manner that we did, we knew that we’d very much left a door open.

 Ruth and I at various points had thought maybe we should do one, maybe we shouldn’t. But it’s such a privilege to be able to end a show on your own terms, like it’s not lost on us how fortunate we are to be able to do that.

Fans are going to see a glimpse behind the scenes with an accompanying documentary. What was that like to film?

The documentary really is based on this idea that we just had so much footage, from our first ever day, from the first Christmas special and from series 2 and 3.  For the 2019 Christmas special and on this finale, we had a film crew following the entire time.

It’s very emotional watching everybody because the very last thing that we shot is the very last moment of the show. So there were a lot of tears that day and I hope that people that like the show will enjoy getting a little glimpse into it.

What does Gavin & Stacey mean to you?

Gavin & Stacey is just a huge part of my life, it changed my life in every way. The thing it means to me most, is my friendship with Ruth. To have an idea with a friend in a hotel in Leeds 20 years ago and then be sat here today with what it’s become… if you think about it too much you could really just start crying all the time. I love her so much and I’m so proud of what we’ve done.

Why do you think the show to be so popular?

It’s difficult for me to say. I think fundamentally the show is about love and about people who like each other. It’s about family and friendship. There’s just so much warmth and love within them as a group. None of that is faked, that’s all there in our relationships as a cast really. 

I think there’s something very pure about watching people who get on and love each other without conflict. I hope people feel that on Christmas day.

• Gavin & Stacey: The Finale will air at 9pm on Christmas Day and the behind-the-scenes documentary Gavin & Stacey: A Fond Farewell will air at 7pm on New Year’s Day, both on BBC One and iPlayer.  

Published: 10 Dec 2024