The nation's favourite TV show is returning to our screens this Christmas. The entire main cast (apart from Margaret John who sadly died in 2011) are back, 10 years after we left the characters making omelettes and speculating about THAT fishing trip in Barry Island. Grazia sat down with the cast after screening of the episode - and here's what we learnt about the one-off special…
The intention was always there
'We have always secretly texted each other ideas for the characters,' Ruth said after watching the episode. 'We would text each other like a line from Pam, a situation for Bryn or a new job for Nessa.' Ruth revealed that on one occasion she changed the entire lyrics to Adele's Hello, adding that she made 'a Barry version' that started 'aright?'
It nearly didn't happen
'It was a bit of a journey,' Ruth said of the writing process, which largely took place at James's house in LA. 'I have to say there was some times during that week where we thought all of this is happening. Let's not do it.' But thankfully they changed their minds after writing a pivotal scene where Gavin and Stacey reflect on their relationship. 'Whenever I watch that scene,' Ruth continued, 'I cry or get goosebumps. It is absolutely the heart of it and I hope that resonates with a lot of couples when they watch it.'
The cast were very emotional
Alison Steadman, who plays Pam, told us that the episode warmed her heart. 'I had a lump in my throat sitting there this morning watching it - it is such a wonderful thing to be part of.' Rob Brydon, who plays Uncle Bryn, also felt emotional. 'It's the happiest job I have ever done,' he said affectionately. 'It was so lovely, it was just joyous. Watching it there, I had tears in my eyes.'
The cast have a WhatsApp group...
...which is called Gilbert and Sullivan, as Alison (who created the group) was terrified of anyone catching on. Is the cast still chatting on it? 'It's calmed down because Larry doesn't know how to work it and actually to be fair neither does Ruth,' Matt Horne, who plays Gavin, told Grazia. 'Alison is all over the place, she loves a GIF.'
Will Gavin and Stacey return for another season?
'Who knows?' Ruth told us with a wry smile. 'There is no plan; there's been no sitting in the room mapping out another episode but I think there is obviously room for it to move on.'
The cast remembered Margaret (Maggie) John in a poignant scene
To pay their respects to Margaret, who played the outrageous and impossibly rude Doris, the cast toasted her character during a moving scene at the pub. 'We wanted to pay homage to her in the best way possible in the special,' Ruth said. 'We wanted to raise a glass to her but also wanted to undercut it because at the end of the day Doris as a character was very rude. I think Maggie would have appreciated that Nessa didn't raise a glass to her.'
Nessa makes Ruth feel empowered
'I just feel so brave and so at ease,' Ruth said of playing Nessa. Ruth continued that she uses Nessa's confidence to help her in tricky situations. 'When people want to get photos with you and they put their arms around you, what's great is that as Nessa I can go 'Oh, love, don't manhandle me, who do you think you are?' I find playing Nessa liberating.'
The cast slipped back into their roles
'I found myself YouTubing Pam just to watch her again, to get in the feel of it again,' Alison told us. 'You forget because really we put it to bed I was convinced we wouldn't have to do it again. So I was kind of going round the house you know trying to get her voice back. But once we were into it, then it just did come back.'
Who is the funniest person on set?
'James improvises and makes everyone laugh,' Melanie Walters, who plays Gwen, told us. 'Rob is always joking,' she added. But according to Alison it was Julia Davis, who plays Dawn, who made the cameraman fall over laughing. 'She has a twinkle in her eye,' Alison explained. 'If anyone makes me laugh, she does.'
James Corden is exactly the same
'He hasn't changed at all,' said Robert West, who plays Jason. 'He was really generous and funny and we slipped back into it and it was the best two weeks. It was like putting a letter back into an envelope.'
Brexit was left out
Ruth and James decided that they didn't want to sour the Christmas mood. 'We did have a line in there originally,' Ruth told Grazia, revealing it was a 'play on the word leave.' But she conceded: 'It just doesn't feel right. We were quite glad not to mention it.'
What happened on the fishing trip?
'Ask Dave Coaches,' Robert told us. 'He is the only one who knows.' Will we ever find out? 'It is never going to be as good as you think it is,' Jason continued, adding 'remember what happened is perfectly legal in this country, it defied gravity, and it involved soup.' We'll leave it at that...
Does Melanie even like omelettes?
She does. Her favourite? 'If you want total protein, feta and spinach. A lot of feta.'
READ MORE: But Why Are We All So Excited For New The Gavin And Stacey Christmas Special?