Gavin & Stacey: The Complete Collection

The double BAFTA-winning comedy Gavin & Stacey proves that falling in love is never as simple as boy meets girl. Written by and starring Ruth Jones (Little Britain, Nighty Night) and James Corden (The History Boys), this series follows the trials and tribulations of two young lovers as they embark on a whirlwind romance that brings their nations, and their families, crashing together. Gavin is an ordinary boy from England, Stacey is an ordinary girl from Wales, but when these two fall in love, the peculiar personalities of their families and friends make it a rocky road to happiness. The complete collection, including seasons one, two, and three, as well as the 2008 Christmas Special, follows the couple through their first encounter, wedding day, and hopes of having a baby, not to mention the hilarious antics of their families and best friends along the way. For Gavin and Stacey, there will be no such thing as "ordinary" ever again.

Series 1
Episode 1 Gavin and Stacey finally plan to meet up. Stacey's guardian uncle, Bryn, is concerned as ever for his niece's well-being and provides her with a rape alarm for her visit to London. Gavin's mum, Pamela, is very excited for her "little prince", while his best mate, Smithy, is sceptical and more concerned about what Stacey's mate, Nessa, is going to look like. Nessa, meanwhile, couldn't care either way.
When the four friends meet up, several pints and eight Aftershocks later, romance blossoms in the most unexpected of places:

Episode 2 Gavin and Stacey are happy and in love, until a misunderstanding on the phone at work leaves Stacey broken-hearted and Gavin in a state. Gavin decides there is only one way to solve the problem and drives all the way to Barry Island to talk to Stacey in person.
Having made up, they cannot bear to be parted so soon and Stacey agrees to come back to Billericay with Gavin. Proud mum Pamela is beside herself with excitement and sets about cleaning the house from top to bottom. However, when Pamela and Gavin's dad, Mick, finally meet Stacey, she is acting very strangely...

Episode 3 Gavin and Stacey prepare to tell their friends and family about their surprise engagement. Pamela and Mick are delighted for their "little prince", but Stacey's family have some very big concerns about the announcement, and Smithy refuses to even talk to Gavin.
However, when the Shipmans invite the Wests to Billericay for an engagement party, nothing will get in the way of the celebrations or Bryn's temptation to use his satnav for the long journey.
Later, the two families get on like a house on fire, until conversation turns to money, and Gavin and Stacey drop a bombshell on their unsuspecting friends and family.

Episode 4 With just six weeks to go until the wedding, the nerves and excitement are beginning to show. Gavin has a very important question for Smithy, while Nessa is having uncharacteristic doubts about herself.
Meanwhile the Shipman family and friends travel to Barry for a wedding fair. The event exceeds all expectations, with Smithy completely mesmerised by Jammy the ultimate stag do organiser (played by Little Britain star, Matt Lucas), and Bryn totally sold on a magician for the wedding.

Episode 5 It's Gavin and Stacey's respective stag and hen nights. Stacey is delighted when her brother Jason returns home - but there is definitely something very awkward happening with Uncle Bryn. Meanwhile, both Nessa and Stacey are hiding big secrets. Will Gavin ever discover Stacey's secret past? And if so, will he still want to marry her?

Episode 6 The day of Gavin and Stacey's wedding has finally arrived, and the Shipmans and the Wests are beside themselves with excitement and pride. Smithy attempts to deliver the definitive Best Man's speech, but it doesn't go quite to plan. Uncle Bryn is still acting strangely around Stacey's brother Jason, and Nessa is acting the oddest of all: will she spill the beans on her big secret? And, most importantly of all, will the wedding actually take place?

Series 2
Episode 1
Three weeks after their wedding, Gavin and Stacey return from honeymoon. Pam and Mick are there to pick them up and take them to the family home in Essex, where they will be living until they get their own place. Gwen and Bryn travel to Essex to see the newly-weds, with Nessa following close behind in a seven-ton truck full of Stacey's belongings. Smithy arrives, clearly upset that Gavin did not call him during his honeymoon (or "holiday" as Smithy prefers to call it).
The families decide to celebrate by going to the Shipmans' local Italian restaurant, where they discover Dawn and Pete having a meal with a Ghanaian man they hope to introduce to their "bedroom". The evening starts well until Stacey collars Nessa in the toilet and finds out she has not told Smithy that he is the father of her unborn child. Gradually, more and more of the diners find out about the pregnancy until, eventually, Nessa tells the last person to know - Smithy.

Episode 2
Picking up immediately after the end of Episode 1... Reeling from Nessa's revelation and unable to handle the news, Smithy flees the restaurant. While Gav, Mick and Bryn set out to find him, Stacey is upset to find out that Gwen has redecorated her bedroom, and it finally sinks in that her home is now at Pam and Mick's, and not in Barry.
After calling on Smithy's sister (who works in a fast-food drive-through), the lads manage to track down a pensive Smithy at the golf driving range and convince him to come back and stand by Nessa. She, however, is reluctant to have Smithy involved with her child at all, but eventually agrees that he can come with her for her scan.
Stacey gets upset again when she finds out all of her possessions have been brought in the back of Nessa's truck. And when her family leave to head home to Wales, she feels she should be with them - and there for her pregnant best friend, Nessa.

Episode 3
Stacey feels dejected because she cannot get a job and Pam tells her she needs to get out more. Smithy needs Gavin's shoulder to cry on because his girlfriend split with him over Nessa's pregnancy and told him she was seeing a younger man anyway.
Gavin, Stacey and Smithy head for Barry so that Smithy can go for the scan with Nessa. Smithy lodges with Bryn, who has turned his spare room into a gym and sets about getting Smithy into shape. Gavin walks elderly next-door-neighbour Doris home, who tries to entice him in for a "coffee".
Gavin and Stacey accompany Nessa and Smithy to the hospital for the scan. Seeing the image of their child for the very first time, really drives home the reality of the situation for the young parents-to-be.

Episode 4
Everyone is very excited because Mick is going to be interviewed on the news after discovering a body near his work place. But when the excited Essex and Welsh contingents all sit down to watch, there is massive disappointment - Mick's interview has been cut down to just a few seconds.
Stacey is miserable and homesick because she still hasn't got a job, or her own home. She feels she's getting under everyone's feet, especially when Pam interrupts her during her shower. Gavin tries to console her but she says he just doesn't understand. Pam admits to Dawn that having the newlyweds staying in her house is getting a bit much. (Dawn and Pete are still looking for a threesome.) Gavin and Stacey go to view a potential flat and are shown round a tiny, dirty studio by over-enthusiastic estate agent Duncan (Marc Wootton).
Nessa travels to Essex and joins Smithy, Gavin and Stacey for a night of tenpin bowling. Gavin and Stacey spend the night arguing. Nessa and Smithy end the night, once again, in the throes of passion - after a KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) meal.

Episode 5
Stacey and Gavin are still in conflict over where they should live...with Gavin refusing to even consider the idea of living in Barry. Smithy admits to Gavin that he had another fling with Nessa and realises he's going to have to face her again at the surprise party Bryn is throwing for Gwen. Bryn is panicking because he wants to keep the surprise barn-dance themed party a surprise...but he's also having trouble getting enough people to attend. Stacey thinks she's going down early with Gavin to help Bryn, then finds out he intends to travel later with Smithy. They row again and Stacey heads to Barry alone by train.
The barn dance is a great success to the relief of Bryn, but Smithy's meeting with Nessa is awkward as she is sat with her old flame Dave the coach driver...and it is made clear that Smithy's is not wanted. Gavin and Stacey argue again, but this time it's serious...she's not going back to Essex with him.

Episode 6
After falling out at Gwen's surprise barn dance, Gavin and Stacey are still living apart and in their respective home towns. Pam is up in arms against plans for a new phone mast to be erected near the Shipman house, and is planning a sit-in at the site. Pam is also concerned about Gavin and gets Mick to phone Gwen to find out how Stacey's doing.
Nessa is earning some money on the side by performing as a living statue down the high street. Bryn breaks down and tells Jason that Dave the coach driver knows all about the fishing trip.
Gavin seeks counselling for his marriage troubles from Smithy, but Smithy's idea of relationship therapy is to organise a surprise lads night out at a nightclub foam party. While the lads are knee deep in foam, Stacey is with her family at a bingo night. Neither she, nor Gavin are enjoying their evening out and can't stop checking their phones to see if the other has called. Eventually, Gavin can't carry on without calling Stacey. They speak...and make up again.

Episode 7
Stacey travels to Essex and back into the arms of Gavin. Everything seems perfect until Pam and Mick offer to cover the down payment on a house for Gavin and Stacey. Stacey tells Gavin that it can't work between them because they both need to live in their own towns. If they were truly meant to be together, this wouldn't matter, they would even think about it...but that clearly isn't the case. She gives him her wedding ring back.
Back in Barry, Nessa is going into labour...with Bryn and Gwen at hand. Pam tells Gavin and Stacey and the hunt to find Smithy begins. Gavin searches for Smithy and has to enlist the help of his sister Rudi. Eventually they find him in a pub watching football and Gavin and Smithy head for Barry.
Nessa is heavily in labour and it looks like Smithy may miss the birth as they don't have the right money for the toll bridge. After failing to talk the toll booth attendant round, they lift the barrier and get stopped by the police. Eventually they get back on their way and arrive at the hospital to see Nessa with the new born in her arms. All the family members come into the room to see the baby, Gavin and Stacey fall into each others arms. We see that Stacey is wearing her wedding ring again.

Series 3
Episode 1
Gavin starts his new job in Cardiff and Stacey is thrilled to be at home again. Smithy comes to terms with life in Essex without his best mate, whilst Nessa is adjusting to life in Dave's caravan down Sully. The weekend brings with it a big reunion, as everyone meets up for the christening of baby Neil. But how will Smithy react to news from Nessa that it is a double celebration? And what will Gavin's answer be to Stacey's request?

Episode 2
Stacey is trying for a new job whilst insuring Gavin sticks to his recent promise! Dave is not a happy bunny when Nessa tells him she is taking Neil the baby to Essex to see his dad. Meanwhile, over at the Shipman's house, Dawn and Pete have joined Pam and Mick for a beer-and-curry night of huge proportions - at the Billericay house of fun.

Episode 3
Pam and Mick are having second thoughts about the conservatory, whilst Bryn is in his element as he awaits the arrival of his house-guests - all the Essex boys down for a big night out in Cardiff - and having a sleep-over at his place! Smithy gets in a state about seeing Nessa after their most recent
embarrassing meeting, and Stacey makes a worrying discovery. But is telling Gavin the right thing to do?

Episode 4
Gavin is uncomfortable with Gwen and Bryn knowing the ins and outs of his and Stacey's sex life, and Smithy goes beyond the call of friendship by making a staggering suggestion. Meanwhile, Pete and Dawn prepare to renew their wedding vows and everyone heads to Billericay to help them celebrate. But how will Dave react to the bombshell revelation about the curry night in Essex?

Episode 5
It is Bank Holiday Monday, and the Essex contingent arrives for a sunny day out at the beach - even Doris is wearing her sundress! Gavin's heart-to-heart with his dad gives him something more to think about, and a dark cloud looms on the horizon when Dave arrives to find Nessa and Smithy enjoying all the fun of the fair.

Episode 6
Nessa and Dave's wedding is fast approaching and the preparations are in full swing. Stacey breaks some life-changing news to Gavin, whilst Bryn and Jason finally put their big secret to bed. Smithy takes care of Neil the baby and wishes Nessa all the best, as she makes her way to the church to marry Dave...

Christmas Special:
It is Christmas Eve, and the Welsh contingent have been invited to celebrate the festive season at the Shipmans in London for one of Mick's famous turkey dinners.
So with the help of Dave and his coach, the Wests head East. Dawn and Pete have come round for Christmas Eve drinks, and Pete has brought his aged mum.
Mick has an enormous turkey soaking in a bucket, Bryn has his mistletoe set to standby and Pam has a cracker of a present under the tree for Mick.
Smithy cannot wait to spend his first Christmas with baby Neil, but will the season still be jolly when he sees playing happy families with Nessa and baby Neil? Or when Bryn elaborates further on ‘that' fishing trip during a heart-to-heart with Jason?
But most importantly, will there still be tidings of comfort and joy when Gavin delivers a truly unexpected surprise to everyone in the room? His revelation is certainly not the Christmas present Pam and Smithy were expecting.

Directed by Christine Gernon
Written by James Corden, Ruth Jones
Produced by Ted Dowd
Executive Produced by Henry Normal, Lindsay Hughes
Original Music by
Cinematography by Doug Hallows
Film Editing by Liana Del Giudice
Costume Design by Claire Finlay, Marcia Stanton

Series 1
"...BBC THREE's gem of a new sitcom ... played with gentle affection by Matthew Horne and Joanna Page." The Times

"...worth keeping an eye on. Its comic set-pieces require you to suspend your disbelief a little higher than I can easily manage, but when it sticks with domestic detail and romantic misadventure, it can be very funny. It also has a terrific cast, including Rob Brydon as a tediously obliging uncle and Alison Steadman as an Essex housewife who is anxious not to impede her son's new romance." Independent

"This is a new comedy for young people, on the BBC's young-people channel, and it's rather nice." Guardian

"...a comedy in which, refreshingly, (almost) all the characters actually seem to like each other ... Thanks to its cast (including Rob Brydon and Alison Steadman), the uncovering of another bunch of British eccentrics is not cliché but pure pleasure." Sunday Times

"...promising new comedy ... well-observed and warm. Some nice performances from Horne and Page, plus Ruth Jones and James Corden as the mates, suggest this could well be a grower and there's strong support from the likes of Alison Steadman and Rob Brydon. Worth checking out." Observer

"The story ... is full of youth and optimism, making it a joyous celebration of how romance can bridge nations." The Times

"It's gentle comedy drama as opposed to full-on sitcom but the main selling point is that it's ever so sweet. Moments of neat observation are held together with an overall good-naturedness. Brilliant comic support comes from Rob Brydon, Alison Steadman and Julia Davis." Guardian

"Do catch Gavin & Stacey, the beautifully observed TV comedy about opposites falling in love ... It's a gem." Daily Mail

"...amiable, unpretentious, well-scripted, nicely acted and archly amusing. It's a good series..." Deborah Orr, Independent

Series 2
"Gavin and Stacey is the nearest the BBC has come in years to a home-grown sitcom that is both modern and funny, yet inclusive in its appeal. Neither twee like the Vicar of Dibley nor as close to the bone as The Office, it may be the true successor to that 80s classic Only Fools and Horses ... this is not your off-the-shelf romcom. For a start there is no laughter track, nor gale-force gags, just gentle, telling observations about the way people really act and talk in the office or down the pub ... And rather than rely on outlandish characters and catchphrases (the standard tactics taxonomised so well by Ricky Gervais in Extras), it flourishes with an ensemble acting as naturalistically as primetime TV allows. The show-stealers are not the eponymous couple but their best mates, Nessa and Smithy - played brilliantly by James Coren and Ruth Jones. There are also star turns by Alison Steadman and Rob Brydon. Truthful without being sour, this is the sort of sitcom that could have been written by a cheerier Mike Leigh." Guardian

"...a welcome return ... Corden and Jones have admirably managed not to have their heads turned by the praise heaped on the first series and keep things as low key as ever here, with Rob Brydon the stand-out from the wonderful cast. ****" Financial Times

"...the series's mix of observational charm and broad humour is driven by the couple's best mates (a blokey Corden and in-your-face Jones), Stacey's Uncle Bryn (Rob Brydon) and Gavin's mum (Alison Steadman)." Observer

"Garlanded with awards and buoyed by critical acclaim, this excellent comedy returns with a series-launching double bill that maintains the established standards ... There is strength in the writing (by James Corden and Ruth Jones, who play Smithy and Nessa); and there is a terrific cast ... The show's warmth, realism, characterisation and comedic quality are reminiscent of The Royle Family, and it should soon find itself promoted to BBC1." Sunday Times

"...it's lovely that two relative unknowns should have scored such a success with comedy so good-hearted. And, yes, the series does have funny lines and a terrific cast ... some gags are very funny. I enjoyed Rob Brydon's performance as Bryn who struggled to get to grips with the concept of parascending, and Nessa's confession that she was still pregnant because she'd watched Vera Drake at the wrong moment struck me as ruefully truthful." Independent

"... a very welcome return for the Anglo/Welsh cockle-warmer ... Julia Davis returns as Dawn and is at the centre of possibly the funniest ‘we didn't expect to see you here' gag ever..." Guardian

"This comedy is less mild than it looks and even funnier than I remembered." The Times

"The two episodes were the fifth- and sixth-best rated shows on BBC3 since it launched five years ago." Guardian

"...if the performances stay this strong ... their show can only go from strength to strength." TV Scoop

Series 3
"...immensely likeable comedy ... It's good to have this warm-hearted, feel-good show back..."
Daily Mail

"One of the many joys of Gavin & Stacey is the adroitness with which it manages to be both warm-hearted in tone, yet studded with exuberantly black touches." John Preston, Sunday Telegraph

"So far, over the course of two wonderful series, the unfolding comic saga of Gavin, Stacey and their respective friends and families has managed to charm just about everyone who's followed it. The question is, can they .... pull it off just one last time. In a word, yes." Daily Express

"We've been waiting like patient little bunnies for the return of this and now it's here - let out a mighty ‘whoop!' Five stars." Daily Star

"Tonight's opening episode is a delight - as funny, quirky and big-hearted as ever ... It glides effortlessly along, floating on a wave of good humour." The Times

"...several scenes here remind you why this deft mix of love story and Ayckbournian social comedy has won awards, starting with the early glimpse of Nessa's distinctive approach to motherhood ... the ever-expanding line-up of oddballs and grotesques can be counted on to offset any sugariness."
Sunday Times

"The BBC's hit comedy Gavin & Stacey was back with its winning formula of gooey romance, slapstick angst and recurring logistical challenge of getting a vast ensemble of Essex and Welsh people into the same room without it seeming odd. Perhaps that's its genius ... The Welsh steal this show, led by Ruth Jones as Nessa - gnomic, brusque, experienced - alongside her spiritual opposite, Bryn (Rob
Brydon), garrulous, sentimental and unworldly." Observer

"...the relocation is, as Stacey would say, ‘lush' ... in Wales, from the deeply rooted observation, surrealism sprouts exotically. There we meet the closeted optimist Uncle Bryn, the foul-mouthed octogenarian sexpot Doris and, above all, Nessa, whose random CV, which stretches from an affair with John Prescott through a stint as Richard and Judy's nanny to founding All Saints, has led her to a job tending the slots at the Barry Island arcade ...

"There are some who think it about as exhilarating as warm bath ... but it is more bracing than that. You may desire to sink into it, but a bit of you always worries about getting nicked by a Ladyshave razor floating beneath the bubbles. Gavin's family is, after all, called Shipman and Stacey's West [serial killers]. That the show never actually draws blood is the joke." Andrew Billen, The Times

"There isn't a dud moment in this tremendous episode [2]... The humour has a warmth that seems to pour effortlessly out of these loveable characters and all their affectionate relationships ... it is refreshing, relaxing and wonderfully funny." David Chater, The Times

"...there is something for everyone. Indeed, Gavin & Stacey has all the ingredients for it to become an audience-pleasing family sitcom in the tradition of Only Fools And Horses and The Royle Family - churning out series after series and Christmas special after Christmas special - everything, that is, except the willingness of its creators and writers to carry on." Independent

"It works in the manner of Dad's Army or Birds of a Feather - the eponymous leads, played by Mathew Horne and Joanna Page, provide a focus in front of a background populated by slightly grotesque characters ... it's all very sweet..." Daily Telegraph

"...it's more of the same warm, gentle humour." The Times

British Comedy Awards 2007
Best New British Television Comedy (Scripted)
Best Male Comedy Newcomer: James Corden
Best Female Comedy Newcomer: Joanna Page
Nominations:
Best Television Comedy
Best Television Comedy Actress: Ruth Jones (for Gavin & Stacey and Saxondale)
Best Male Comedy Newcomer: Mathew Horne
Best Female Comedy Newcomer: Joanna Page

Broadcast Awards 2007
Best Multichannel Programme
Nominations:
Best Comedy
Best New Programme

Broadcasting Press Guild Awards 2007/8
Best Comedy/Entertainment

BAFTA Awards 2008
Audience Award for the Programme of the Year
Best Comedy Performance: James Corden

South Bank Show Awards 2008
Best TV Comedy

Televisual Bulldog Awards 2007
Best Comedy
Televisual is the business magazine for the broadcast and production community and their annual awards (presented in May 2008) are voted for by the Televisual readers, giving a detailed picture of the programme makers' views of the top television shows of 2007.

Media Guardian Awards 2008
This is the newspaper's annual list of the most powerful people in the industry. Candidates are judged on three criteria: their cultural, economic and political influence in the UK. The list was takes in all sectors of the media, including broadcasting, publishing, digital media, advertising, marketing and PR.
Top 100 most powerful people in the industry: No 25: James Corden and Ruth Jones
Top 10 New Entries: No 10: James Corden and Ruth Jones
Top 10 Under-40: No 4: James Corden

GQ Men of the Year Awards 2008
Breakthrough Talent: James Corden

TV Quick and TV Choice Awards 2008
Shortlist:
Best Comedy Show

Edinburgh International Television Festival Channel of the Year Awards 2008
Best Non-terrestrial programme of the year
British Comedy Awards 2008
Best Television Comedy
Nomination:
Best Television Comedy Actor: James Corden

Broadcast Awards 2008
Nomination:
Best Comedy Programme