Are Bryn and Gwen leaving Barry Island?

Could Bryn and Gwen be set to leave Barry Island in the Gavin & Stacey finale?

Actors Rob Brydon and Melanie Walters looked emotional as they were seen packing up a car while shooting scenes for the Christmas special on Wednesday.

Melanie, 62, was seen attaching huge suitcases to the top of the car as her on screen brother-in-law played by Rob, 59, helped her.

The critically acclaimed series follows the lives of titular characters Gavin from Essex and Stacey from South Wales, documenting key points in their long-distance relationship and events that bring the two families together.

The finale will also star Joanna Page as Stacey, Mathew Horne and Gavin, Ruth Jones as Nessa and James Corden as Smithy – after the show last aired in 2019.

In the show Gwen and Bryn live just across the street from each other in Barry and are often seen nipping across to each other’s houses.

It comes after Ruth was seen filming in the iconic setting of Barry Island as well on Wednesday.

Joined by her co-star Joanna, Ruth, who plays Nessa in the sitcom, looked as though she might be leaving Barry Island for good too in the final episode. 

Wheeling a suitcase behind her, Nessa fashioned a burgundy leather jacket, black leather skirt and heeled boots as she was seen locking up the amusement arcade where she works for a final time. 

Could it be that Nessa is leaving for a life in Essex with Smithy – played by (James Corden) after she proposed to him in the last episode in 2019 or that she is leaving because he turned her down?

Fans are eager to find out his answer.

Earlier in the day, Nessa was also spotted without an engagement ring on her finger, suggesting all did not go to plan… or perhaps the writers are simply keeping us guessing. 

Meanwhile Ruth was also joined by Joanna, who plays Stacey, as the pair laughed together during takes together. 

Joanna, 47, previously revealed her excitement after it was confirmed the iconic BBC sitcom would return for one final episode this Christmas, nearly five years after the last episode aired in 2019.

Speaking during a special of her Off the Telly Podcast she told co-host Natalie Cassidy: ‘I’m so excited to see the gang again and start filming, and I can’t wait to find out if Smithy has said yes.

‘I can’t wait to find out what’s happening to everybody!’

Before laughing: ‘I’m going to have to keep that script away from your [Natalie’s] little paws but yeah we are going to be able to review it on our show at Christmas and I will be very cross if you aren’t sitting down on Christmas Day watching me!’

Joanna also shared a statement with ITV’s Loose Women that read: ‘I’m very excited for the return of the Gavin and Stacey and can’t wait to come back on and tell you all about it’.

At the climax of the last Christmas episode in 2019, Nessa got down on one knee to propose to Smithy, but viewers never got to hear his response.

The pair had an on-off relationship during the series after several unplanned one-night stands led to their son, Neil the baby.

In the last episode, which caught up with the characters 10 years after the previous instalment, it was revealed they were successfully co-parenting their son.

And as the family gathered in Barry for the festivities, the episode ended with Nessa down on one knee and the episode ended immediately after she asked: ‘Marry me?’

While talking about Nessa’s shock proposal, she told the Mirror back in 2019: ‘It’s quite difficult to show her soft side. If I’m down on one knee, it’s obvious what’s going on.

‘When I put my hand on my heart and I said, as Nessa, “I love you. No, I do, I loves you with all my heart” I really meant it to James.’

Gavin And Stacey star Alison Steadman, who plays Pam Shipman, admitted she will ‘cry’ as filming finally commences.

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.