Gavin & Stacey's Larry Lamb gives insight into final emotional moments filming Christmas special
As we edge ever closer to the last episode of Gavin & Stacey airing, actor Larry Lamb has opened up about his fond and emotional memories of his last day on set as Mick Shipman. Larry and the wider cast have been sharing their memories filming the show over the last 17 years with The One Show presenter Alex Jones for Barry Island Discs.
The final episode is set to air on Christmas Day and fans can watch a sneaky preview of the finale for this year's special on BBC iPlayer. Last time we saw the Shipman and West families was five years ago, back in another Christmas Special, which aired in 2019. The episode ended on a cliffhanger as Nessa proposed to Smithy, with the credits rolling before fans could hear his answer.
Series co-creators Ruth Jones and James Corden have confirmed that this year's Christmas special will be the last episode of the beloved BBC comedy. Larry Lamb has spoken about the "emotion" on set as the cast said goodbye to their iconic characters for one final time.
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He recalled finishing his last scene with Alison Steadman, who plays his on-screen wife Pam Shipman, by putting their arms around each other, "just as a couple", he said. For the latest TV & Showbiz news, sign up to our newsletter.
He continued: "The whole day was really emotional because we all knew, which is very unusual, that they would film the last day of the series on the last day of the shoot, which never happens. The emotion was building up all the time towards the last day.
"It was like waiting for the last day of school, the last day of term. Three, four days before you start thinking 'Oh blimey it's soon going to happen' and then all of a sudden it's happening. There we were in the morning getting into costume and ready to start this day.
He added that it was clear members of the cast were trying to hold back their emotions to get through their final scenes. "As it started to move towards the end, it got more and more emotional," he said. "There were bits where people were filmed and you knew they were kind of holding back the tears. Then of course, the first assistant director, as they have to do, says 'Right ladies and gentlemen that is a wrap!'
"Everybody, the entire crew, made sure they hugged everybody."
You can follow all the latest Gavin & Stacey updates while we wait for the Christmas special to hit our screens on Christmas Day here. Gavin & Stacey: The Finale will air on Christmas Day at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
