Gavin & Stacey filming! Nessa is again in her leather-based waistcoat
The Gavin & Stacey cast were seen on set for the first time as filming for the Christmas Day special got under way on Monday.
Nessa Jenkins, played by Ruth Jones, 57, was back in her trademark leather waistcoat and has a new business venture.
The best friend of Stacey Shipman was seen carting passengers on Barry Island in a rickshaw – and she was finally reunited with Neil ‘Smithy’ Smith, who was wearing a wedding ring.
But James Corden, who portrays Nessa’s on-off love interest in the hit BBC sitcom, was directing the scenes rather than in character and so it is most likely his own, from his marriage to Julia Carey.
The actor and co-creator of the beloved comedy, 46, appeared in high spirits as he arrived at the sea front along with Stacey herself, played by Joanna Page.
The Gavin & Stacey cast were seen on set for the first time as filming for the Christmas Day special got under way on Monday
The best friend of Stacey Shipman was finally reunited with Smithy
Nessa Jenkins, played by Ruth Jones, was back in her trademark leather waistcoat and has a new a business venture
Stacey, played by Joanna Page was also there too, as she and Ruth giggled together during takes
When filming started, James was fully focused on the camera screen to ensure his vision for the last ever episode of Gavin & Stacey comes to life.
With his notes in hand, James appeared at one point to give Ruth some advice on how he wanted the scene to pan out.
Nessa’s new job as a rickshaw driver follows her varied career – from working at the SH Amusements arcade, to being a news producer for the BBC.
She has previous driving experience, having worked as a driver for Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Who and Eddie Stobart.
Before filming, Ruth had lunch at Mr Villa’s fish and chip shop and posed for a photo with a fan who worked behind the counter.
The BBC also shared a picture of the clapperboard with the first take on to mark the momentous moment and wrote: ‘Oh. My. Christ. The final episode of Gavin & Stacey started filming today. Truth be told, we’re a little bit excited.’
James, meanwhile, sent Gavin & Stacey fans wild with excitement as he shared a snap from the first day of filming for the highly-anticipated return of the sitcom.
The actor and co-creator of the beloved comedy took to his Instagram to post a behind-the-scenes photo from the set, as he confirmed shooting was underway.
Nessa was seen carting passengers on Barry Island in a rickshaw
But James Corden, who portrays her love interest in the hit BBC sitcom, was directing the scenes rather than in character
Joanna looked delighted to be back to doing what she loves best
The comedian looked focused as he reviewed the footage to ensure they had the perfect shot
Ruth had donned Nessa’s signature black wig, hoop earrings and dragon tattoo
Ruth shared a laugh with the cinematographer as she filmed the cycling scenes
The crew watched the cameras closely, with James concentrating as filming started
A day later, Joanna and Ruth filmed scenes together outside – it’s clear the ladies were getting into character, with Stacey carrying her trusty Boots bag
It’s clear the ladies are the best of friends as they caught up between takes
The shot showed the side of James’ character Neil ‘Smithy’ Smith’s iconic blue Volvo, which he uses to advertise his builder and decorator services.
Writing on the window read: ‘Smithy’s: If your husband won’t do it – I will… Tilin, Roofin, Plasterin, & Feng Shui. Call me on 07700978978’.
Captioning the teasing shot, James wrote: ‘Day 1. Here we go x’ as his followers went wild in the comments, declaring: ‘This is history’.
They wrote: ‘All these years, you’d have thought smithy would get a new car. Can’t wait though, more excited for this than Christmas itself’.
‘Screw the fishing trip, screw the wedding, let’s just have the best Christmas special for the ages!! Forget Oasis, THIS IS HISTORY; This means another rewatch.’
Meanwhile, Ruth transformed into Nessa to say her goodbyes to Sister Act The Musical, following her turn as Mother Superior at London’s Dominion Theatre.
The actress, 57, joined the star-studded cast of the hit West End show in March, and went on to extend her run, taking to the stage for the final time last month.
And as she was lauded by her co-stars, Ruth treated the audience of her last show to visit from fan-favourite, Nessa, and teased the highly-anticipated return of Gavin & Stacey.
Nessa’s new job as a rickshaw driver follows her varied career, from working at the SH Amusements arcade, to being a news producer for the BBC
The actor and co-creator of the beloved comedy, 46, appeared in high spirits as he arrived at the sea front
Before filming, Ruth had lunch at Mr Villa’s fish and chip shop
The BBC began filming for the Christmas Day special on Monday
The actor and co-creator of the beloved comedy took to his Instagram to post a behind-the-scenes photo from the set, showing the side of his character Smithy’s iconic blue Volvo
Confirming shooting was underway, James captioned the teasing shot: ‘Day 1. Here we go x’
Meanwhile, Ruth transformed into Nessa to say her goodbyes to Sister Act The Musical, following her turn as Mother Superior at London’s Dominion Theatre
James shared a picture of day two on Instagram on Tuesday which showed Ruth and Joanna reunited as they prepared to film scenes as Nessa and Stacey
He wrote: ‘Day 2. One last time on the island x’
She began: ‘The convent says goodbye to the wonder that is Ruth Jones. I cannot tell you what a joy it is to be in this company with Ruth.
‘Ruth has led this company so superbly and it’s a joy to perform with her, not just on stage but offstage – the generosity, the wonderful witness, the fun.’
Causing the audience to erupt into cheers, Lesley then teased: ‘The only positive thing about the fact that Ruth leaves the convent is that we know where she’s going!’
She continued: ‘And I guarantee that all of us on stage and I think all of you out there on Christmas Day will be watching Gavin & Stacey.’
It comes after fellow star Rob Brydon hinted shooting was underway for the show, as he shared a selfie with co-star Ruth Jones on Saturday.
The actor, 59, who plays fan-favourite Uncle Bryn beamed next to Nessa Jenkins star Ruth and teased: ‘Something’s occurring… #gavinandstacey’.
Gavin & Stacey co-creator James and Ruth confirmed the show would return in May, with filming back in Barry Island, after last airing a Christmas special in 2019.
Fans will get to find out what has happened during the five-year break on Christmas Day this year, after the previous episode became the most-viewed non-sporting event in a decade.
At the climax of the episode, Nessa got down on one knee to propose to Smithy, but viewers never got to hear his response.
James pictured on the show with Ruth Jones in 2009
His followers went wild with excitement in the comments, declaring: ‘This is history’ and ‘more excited for this than Christmas itself’
It comes after fellow star Rob Brydon hinted shooting was underway for the show, as he shared a selfie with co-star Ruth Jones on Saturday
The actor, 59, who plays fan-favourite Uncle Bryn beamed next to Nessa Jenkins star Ruth, 57, and teased: ‘Something’s occurring… #gavinandstacey’
Joanna took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a snap of the front of her trailer door which said her character’s name ‘Stacey’. She wrote: ‘First day!!!’
Fans will get to find out what has happened during the five-year break on Christmas Day this year (James, Joanna Page, Mathew Horne and Ruth pictured in 2019)
Rob previously revealed he was ‘moved to tears’ when he saw the script and said the episode was going to be very ’emotional’.
Speaking to Chris Evans live from Laverstoke Park Farm, Rob said of the final episode: ‘First of all, we knew it was going to happen, but we were told we had to keep it a secret.
‘So you have to lie to people! It’s a horrible feeling, because you don’t want to lie to somebody right in the face.’
He continued: ‘It was a couple of months before the cast saw the script. I only saw it, we were on holiday, we were away, about a month ago. I read it. Oh, it’s so good.’
When Chris asked Rob if he was saying that because he had to, Rob replied: ‘No, I kind of wouldn’t, actually. I don’t want to tempt fate, but I think it’s fantastic.’
He revealed: ‘Do you know what? I was moved to tears, because it’s emotional.’
In July, James gave a major Gavin & Stacey update as he appeared on Capital Breakfast radio, revealing that the final script was almost ready to go.
Host Jordan North asked him: ‘Is it all written, is it all locked in? Is there still stuff to write?’
Gavin & Stacey co-creator James and Ruth confirmed the show would return in May, with filming back in Barry Island, after last airing a Christmas special in 2019
At the climax of the episode, Nessa got down on one knee to propose to Smithy, but viewers never got to hear his response
James replied: ‘It’s written right but now we’re doing rewrites. So we have to, we have to remove some time, we have to change some bits around.
‘So, we’ve been doing that, it’s quite tough because Ruth Jones’s (Nessa) in Sister Act over in the West End at the minute, and I’m doing The Constituent at the Old Vic.
‘So, we’ve been doing quite a bit of writing in dressing rooms and things like that. And then both looking at each other being quite tired from the plays but we’ll be back at it tomorrow.
‘Back at it Friday. I hope by Friday… it will be done and finished this Friday!’
Jordan then said: ‘This Friday? Is that the deadline?’
James then quipped: ‘Well it’s the deadline we’ve set ourselves, because we start shooting pretty soon now. It’s not far away now.’
