Sheridan Smith is set to sign a deal to star in the last ever episode of Gavin & Stacey, sources say.
It is understood the story James Corden and Ruth Jones have penned for the finale does include Sheridan’s character Ruth ‘Rudi’ Smith. And sources working on the BBC show say informal discussions with the actress have already taken place despite rumours she would not be involved.
The TV deal, which comes after Sheridan saw her West End stage show Opening Night halted two months early, will come as a surprise to millions of fans as she did not appear in the 2019 Christmas Special.
One insider said: “The script for Gavin & Stacey: The Finale includes all of the show’s major players – including Smithy’s sister Rudi. Nothing has been signed and conversations are still very much ongoing – especially as the filming date has not been set.
“But all of the stops are being pulled out to make sure the whole cast are there, and in the coming weeks the production team hope to pin down everyone’s availability. Sheridan and James are still friendly – they recently bumped into each other at the Variety Club Awards and got on really well. So the hope is that she will be able to be part of it.
“She did not appear in the Christmas Special because her character was not part of that storyline, but it has been a different story this time around. Everyone is very excited about this episode – it is going to be a phenomenal last hurrah for the series, which is exactly what it deserves.”
James, 45, and Ruth, 57, sparked a fever pitch of excitement last month when they shared a photo of a script for Gavin & Stacey: The Finale – five years after fans saw Nessa propose to Smithy at the end of the 2019 Christmas Special.
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The original series – which began on BBC2 but was moved to the main channel – ran for three series between 2007 and 2010. Starring Ruth and James as Nessa and Smithy, alongside Matt Horne as Gavin and Joanna Page’s Stacey, it followed the title characters’ struggle to make their relationship work with their families split between Billericay, Essex and Barry Island in Wales.
But actress Sheridan was also a runaway hit with fans as his character’s gobby sister – who to his annoyance, also insisted on being called Smithy. The on-screen siblings filmed a rap duet to track American Boy which is now one of the show’s most iconic moments. And their mostly antagonistic TV relationship also delivered some unexpectedly warm moments, such as Ruth telling Smithy in one scene: “You ain’t heavy, you’re my brother.”
Off screen, Sheridan and James began dating in 2007 but seemed to split in 2008, when James was asked about his status and replied: “It’s complicated.” They went on to reunite, but split for good in 2009. And James, who had described Sheridan as “the love of his life” later told how the break-up left him feeling “heartbroken and lost”.
But soon after he met wife Julia Carey, and the couple went on to have three children together, Max, Carey and Charlotte. Meanwhile Sheridan, who has son Billy with ex boyfriend Jamie Horn, recently split from her boxer boyfriend Dave ‘Rocky’ Ryan. Representatives last night declined to comment.
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