Gavin & Stacey star speaks of 'struggle' and says what the show means to him ahead of Christmas finale
Gavin & Stacey star Mathew Horne has opened up on what he thinks makes the TV sitcom so good. The English actor was talking on The Ryan Tubridy Show on Virgin Radio UK when he discussed the show's upcoming finale episode.
The Christmas special episode is only a few weeks away, with many fans feeling excited to find out how their beloved comedy series comes to an end. Last time we saw the Shipman and West families was five years ago, back in another Christmas Special, which aired in 2019. Now, Gavin & Stacey fans can watch a sneaky preview of the finale for this year's Christmas Day (Wednesday, December 25) on BBC iPlayer. For the latest TV & Showbiz news, sign up to our newsletter.
Mathew Horne has played the role of Gavin Shipman for nearly 20 years. He plays the loving husband of Stacey, played by Joanna Page, who is also the devoted son of Pam and Mick Shipman - played by Alison Steadman and Larry Lamb respectively, and the best friend of Smithy, played by James Corden.
READ MORE: Gavin and Stacey star teases 'emotional' final scenes as she 'tears up' over Christmas special
While talking to Irish presenter, Ryan Tubridy, Horne said that the show was an "incredibly meaningful thing" to him. He added: "Because it is 17 years of a 23-year, so far, professional acting career. And that is momentous really. Not every actor gets to experience that, be part of - a very small part, but a part of a show that is so meaningful to so many people."
Ryan then asked why he thought the show was so special, in response, Horne said: "I think it's quite an aspirational show, in the terms of, we all strive for human connection both in family, friendship and romantic partnerships. I struggle to think of a better televisual representation of love, friendship and family than Gavin & Stacey".
He was then asked what it was like to film the Christmas Special, which he described as "emotionally charged for a number of reasons". He then added: "Overall, an incredibly powerful, meaningful and loving experience." He noted that the cast had become his "second family", especially one actress in particular.
"It did feel like a goodbye in one sense", he said. "But the great thing about making about a piece of television - if it's good, is that it lasts forever. It has an existing legacy that you can watch, so it didn't feel like a goodbye. There were moments where I was like, I'm not going to be doing that again, physically, in that moment. But the thing that we've made will exist and live on."
When asked what he'll miss most, he said: "I suppose having that second family. Alison Steadman very much became a second mother to me, I mean, a really good pal, but there is a certain maternal element in my relationship with Alison and hopefully I will work with her again, but it won't necessarily be in that format. I will miss the family element to it."
Gavin & Stacey: The Finale will air on Christmas Day at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
