Alison Steadman has reflected on the last day of filming for the Gavin And Stacey finale, saying the cast was “in bits” as it was “very emotional”.
The British actress, 78, plays Pamela Shipman in the BBC sitcom that follows a couple and their two families, one from Wales and the other from Essex.
Speaking to ITV’s Loose Women on Monday, Steadman said: “It was wonderful, because we do feel like a big family.
“It was 17 years ago we filmed the first series.
“And it was so good to be back together. We were all laughing and chatting and hugging each other.”
She added: “It was very emotional, and when we did the final day, and it was the wrap, we go around (as) individuals and just have to say a few words, nobody could speak.
“We were just in bits… and I think it will be the final one. It’s called the finale.
“But it’s been such a great experience.”
She continued: “I feel so lucky that I worked with Ruth (Jones) and James (Corden) on Fat Friends, years ago… and then they decided to write this series, and wrote that part of Pamela for me.
“And I was so thrilled at that, I thought that was so kind of them. And of course, what a great character to dive into and have a bit of fun with.”
The hit TV series aired between 2007 and 2010, and returned in 2019 with a one-off festive special that ended on a cliffhanger, when Nessa (Jones) proposed to Corden’s character Neil “Smithy” Smith.
In the sitcom, Mathew Horne and Joanna Page play lovers Gavin and Stacey, Steadman is Gavin’s mother Pam, Larry Lamb is his father Mick, Melanie Walters portrays Stacey’s widowed mother Gwen, and Rob Brydon plays her Uncle Bryn.
Former chat show host Corden, 46, revealed in July that he and Jones had finished writing the script for the final episode. Filming finished in October.
Gavin And Stacey: The Finale will air at 9pm on Christmas Day on BBC One and iPlayer. The documentary Gavin And Stacey: A Fond Farewell will be shown at 7pm on New Year’s Day on BBC One and iPlayer.
Steadman appeared on Loose Women to promote her new book, Out Of Character, which she said focuses on her career in acting.
