BBC Gavin & Stacey's Gwen, Melanie Walters has a successful career away from acting and it's not omelette making
For over two decades, Gavin & Stacey star Melanie Walters has made her name for herself by playing the lovable, kind and gentle character of Gwen West, who is obsessed with cooking an omelette to all her loved ones in the BBC comedy series. This Christmas, she is reprising her role as Stacey's mum in the last ever episode, which airs at 9pm on Christmas Day (Wednesday, December 25).
But away from Gavin & Stacey, Walters has cultivated a successful career outside of acting. The 62-year-old actress from Swansea is a pilates instructor and has an impressive CV to match. The actress has been specialising in pilates for over 20 years, having qualified as an instructor back in 2002 - five years before Gavin & Stacey's very first episode was aired back in 2007.
She founded her own business - Practical Pilates Ltd, and is now an instructor at Pili-Pala, which specialises in pilates and homeopathy. Pili-Pala, which means 'butterfly' in Welsh, offers virtual classes as well as face-to-face classes in the Swansea area.
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According to the Pili-Pala website, Walters has attended workshops with recognised names in the pilates field over the years, including Polestar Pilates, Stott, Body Control Pilates, Active Pilates, Lolita San Miguel and Alan Heardman in London. By now, she's an advanced instructor and has gained qualifications from The Pilates Institute in London, in various fields, such mat-based pilates, back care pilates, clinical posture, pilates in pregnancy and functional rehabilitation.
Furthermore, she is an advanced personal trainer, which means her qualifications includes gym and circuit training, nutrition, exercise programme design and fitness testing. This Christmas, Melanie Walters will be reprising her role as Gwen for the final time.
Ahead of the special episode's airing, the actress spoke about what the role had meant for her for all these years. She said: "What can I say, it's changed my life. I'm incredibly grateful to be involved with a piece of work that so many people find funny and moving. A show that people have taken to their hearts, it's a complete joy and honour to be part of that. Over 17 years! That experience will never happen again."
Gavin And Stacey: The Finale will air on BBC One from 9pm on Christmas Day and will also be available on BBC iPlayer.
