Gavin & Stacey's Laura Aikman's secret code name and surprising moment she knew Sonia was returning
Gavin & Stacey star Laura Aikman has revealed her secret code name and the moment she knew her character Sonia would be returning to the show following a chance encounter. The actress was speaking on BBC 5 Live Breakfast show on Sunday, December 29, when she explained how her appearance was kept under wraps during production in order to protect the final episode's storyline.
On Christmas Day more than 12m viewers tuned in to watch Gavin & Stacey: The Finale. It was the last ever episode of the series that has been on our screens and in our hearts for nearly two decades.
The last time we saw the Shipman and West families was back in 2019 in another Christmas special when Nessa, played by Ruth Jones, professed her love to Smithy (played by James Corden) and got down on one knee to ask him to marry her despite Smithy being in a relationship with Aikman's character Sonia.
READ MORE: Gavin & Stacey's Ruth Jones says 'I couldn't bear it' as she talks James Corden relationship
But fans, including Aikman's own family, were left shocked to see the actress appear on the final ever episode confirming that Smithy had left Nessa high and dry following the proposal and continuing with his plans to marry Sonia. For the latest TV and showbiz news sign up to our newsletter.
On BBC 5 Live, presented by Eleanor Oldroyd and Gordon Smart, Aikman said the secrecy was such that her name wasn't even included on any call sheets. She said: "Everyone was supposed to call me Susan – even on the phone strangely." She continued: "I wasn't on any of the call sheets, any of the paperwork, I didn't stay in the same hotels as the cast."
When asked what was her reaction like after she was called to reprise her role as Sonia she said: "I was delighted. I did have a little idea because I had – I haven't said this to anyone – but I did a TV show called Archie and it must have been last October we had the press screening in The Soho Hotel and as I was walking down the stairs I saw James Corden and Ruth Jones get out of the lift together in the hotel.
"And I knew from things that they've said that they write in hotels together and they both looked quite shocked to see me and I thought: 'They're writing the Christmas special. They're writing another one'. But obviously I didn't know if I was going to be in it so I was very pleased when I got the call because I thought: 'It's definitely happening'."
When asked if she thought seeing the pair at the hotel had a contributing factor to her reprising her role she said: "Yes. I asked James when I saw him and he said: 'Yeah – we were like: "Oh my God – she knows, she knows"' as soon as they saw me."
