James Corden's famous ex to appear in Gavin & Stacey for the final episode this Christmas

James Corden seen filming the final episode of Gavin and Stacey
-Credit: (Image: John Myers)


Excitement is already building for the return of one of the funniest (and moving) shows of recent decades, Gavin & Stacey. And after the stars were spotted on the streets of Barry Island as they filmed scenes for the special episode airing at Christmas, talk about who might appear in the series final - alongside its leads Joanna Page, James Corden, Ruth Jones and Mathew Horne - has reached fever pitch.

One name tipped to make a reappearance is James' real-life ex, actress Sheridan Smith, who played his character Neil "Smithy" Smith's little sister Ruth (better known as Rudi) in the second and third series of the show. The 43-year-old Fat Friends star, who dated James from 2007 to 2009, didn't appear in the Christmas special in 2019, which left viewers with a cliffhanger ending after Nessa declared her love for Smithy and got down on one knee to propose to him, but reports have suggested she's due to revive the younger Smith sibling character this year.

Sheridan Smith
Fans loved the dynamic between Sheridan and James in Gavin and Stacey -Credit:PA
Sheridan Smith as Rudi in Gavin and Stacey
Sheridan played Smithy's little sister Rudi -Credit:BBC

A source told The Sun that Sheridan, who has recently appeared in the likes of Channel 5's The Teacher, and played the title role in Sky One's Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything, was thrilled to bring Rudi back to Billericay. “She is an incredible actress and stepped straight back into Rudi’s shoes," they said. "It was like no time had passed at all. Sheridan was over the moon she could go back into the fold and her scenes are brilliant.”

READ MORE:King Charles gives Prince Andrew two choices in bid to end wrangle over Royal Lodge

READ MORE:Katie Price accused of photoshop fail over 'extremely filtered' snaps of her facelift results

Photos emerged earlier this month of the cast and crew of the show filming new scenes on Barry Island, near Cardiff, with Ruth dressed in Nessa's trademark black attire - a black leather gilet and mini skirt (with her tattoo of a Welsh dragon on show, of course).

James, who recently returned from the US after a stint hosting The Late, Late Show, had already sent fans wild a few days earlier when he shared a photo of Smithy's van, indicating it was full steam ahead for filming.

Sign up to OK!'s daily newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free

Oscar Hartland
Neil the Baby (Oscar Hartland) is definitely no longer a baby -Credit:BBC

Another confirmed return is 'Neil the baby', who, of course, is even less of a baby than he was in the Christmas special in 2019. Played by Oscar Hartland, Neil is the son of Smithy and Nessa and first appeared after Nessa gave birth at the end of the second series back in 2018.

The actor, now 15, sparked concern earlier this year when he was asked if he'd be returning for the latest Christmas special and responded saying he hadn't been asked back. "I'm disappointed. I was hoping to get the call," he said. "Neil must feature in the final episode because he's Smithy and Nessa's son, they can't write him out."

And it turns out he was right. He was spotted filming this month with his on-screen dad Smithy, dressed very much as a teenager in a black t-shirt, casual jacket and jeans. The photos showed him walking along the street where Stacey’s mum Gwen (Melanie Walters) and Uncle Bryn (played by Rob Brydon) both live.