‘We met and two minutes later we were kissing’ – How Gavin and Stacey became Britain’s highest-paid TV couple | television

IIt’s a classic romantic comedy: an Essex boy from Billericay meets a Welsh girl from Barry, they declare their love at a bus stop, he proposes at a train station before the police drag him away and – with the help of a fake vegetarian mother, an eccentric boyfriend who’s had an affair with John Prescott and a top-secret fishing trip – they win the hearts of the nation.

Gavin and Stacey were the 2007 love child of Ruth Jones and James Corden, following the regular couple played by Matthew Horne and Joanna Page. Their bandmates Nessa (Jones) and Smithy (Corden) became the “Will they/Won’t they?” The show’s relationship – Gavin’s parents, Pam (Alison Steadman) and Mick (Larry Lamb), were proof of everlasting love – but Gavin and Stacey were the couple we could all relate to. So much so that they are regularly voted as one of Britain’s best TV couples.

After three successful series, the final Christmas special was one of the most watched scripted television shows of the century. And it’s still gripping people all over the world: Margot Robbie recently declared the show her favorite, recalled talking about it to Bette Midler at a restaurant, and then sending Midler a DVD collection.

It’s been nearly 20 years since the pilot launched, and Horn and Page are working together again on the chatty food podcast Table for Four. Over Zoom, Paige excitedly explains the “pinch, punch, first of the month” game she just played with her kids. “It’s nice to hear you talk for once, Joe,” Horn said in a deadpan voice as he joined the call. “You have to come out of your shell a little more.”

And with the first part of ribbing, they remember how they became so loved.

Do you remember meeting for the first time?

A: I had to go and read with Matt. I was so nervous because I knew he was the right guy for Catherine Tate and I thought he would be so great. But it was really lovely and we clicked and did some scenes together.

M: In one scene we had to kiss. It was very bold of them! You wouldn’t have that now – you would have an intimacy coordinator.

A: This is crazy isn’t it? I just say, “Oh hi, I’m Joe, nice to meet you.” After two minutes, we kissed.

M: But I was also a little nervous because I knew Joe had gone to Rada — a proper actor. Maybe kissing broke the ice.

A: I also remember you and the producer were talking about Fred Perry T-shirts and I was thinking, “Oh my God, his voice sounds kind of annoying… I’m not even wearing the right clothes!”

M: I immediately fell into toxic masculinity.

JB: I did. And then I was forced to kiss you.

What do Gavin and Stacey like about each other?

A: It was a huge, huge explosion of love at first. I don’t think you can explain that kind of chemistry. It’s instinctive. But I also think Gavin is very safe. She didn’t have her father anymore — she had Uncle Brain who was looking out for her — and I think settling into a safe, happy marriage is what Stacey was really looking for.

M: The main thing is that the connection was purely emotional. It wasn’t a Tinder photo. Or a physical encounter. Didn’t see her at the bar. It was a phone call. When they met, he had almost made the decision that this was the one. As humans, we strive for this.

What are your favorite romantic moments?

M: I loved the encounter on the island when she gifted me the beer mat in the 2019 special. There was something really reassuring about that because we were back together after 10 years and it was a really intimate and tender moment – but in Barry Park with thousands of people at 1am.

A: In the early years, I loved simple things like sitting down and sharing a bag of chips. It’s very beautiful. I also loved it when they had a big argument and then made it up, like in series one, when Gavin found out that Stacey had been engaged five times before. She answers the door in her pajamas, and he says, “Was that something you were going to tell me?” It’s really fun to do those scenes – the emotional, the exciting, the romantic, the “Oh my God, what’s going to happen?”

But oh my God, it was the beautiful moment when we came out of the doctor and thought we couldn’t have kids.

M.H: Really, really cool. It’s a story that I think has been important to a lot of couples. I didn’t have kids at that point, and I didn’t realize what that meant to people.

A: It’s not until you have children that you truly understand how terrible the situation you’re in is. I remember when they were in the kitchen together and I was hugging you and then Stacey said, “It’s so sad, isn’t it?”

Is there anything you wish Gavin and Stacey would do differently?

A: I loved everything – I wish we could go deeper. But as the show went on, you had two families to deal with, and another big relationship. So, you know, you have to share everything.

When did you realize that this was a love story for the ages?

JB: A lot of people come up to me and say, “We’re Gavin and Stacey in real life.” The show, when you think about it, is quite conventional. They’re just two normal families – well, except for Nyssa. But people from all walks of life have gotten involved because they’re saying, “I want a relationship like this; I want to meet the person I love.”

M: When Anna Maxwell Martin came [set] For a few days on end, she told James she couldn’t think of a better representation of love, friendship, and family.

How romantic are you in real life?

M: Incredibly. If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me. I mean, my romantic gestures are… I know this is an interview, but this is completely private, so there you have it, Joe.

A: I’m incredibly romantic. Not in the way of giving too much material things and sweeping you off your feet. But when I fall in love, I will give you everything. I will give my whole being! I just want to talk and take it all out of you and give you everything and go on a huge, huge, amazing adventure together.

M: I agree with that. Being heard, listened to, and feeling safe are as romantic as it gets. Maybe this is something I’ve only acknowledged as I’ve gotten older.

What is the most intense fan reaction to Gavin And Stacey?

A: People named their children after Gavin and Stacey. All forms of animals are named after them. What’s even more poignant is when you meet someone and they’re very sick or during a marriage breakup and you can see that they’re still very vulnerable and they say, “He saved my life, he was the only thing that helped me survive.”

M.H: It’s a real honor to be part of something that can impact people like this. Being a part of a piece of entertainment that has helped people in their lives is great.

A: But another very keen appreciation for the show is that I often receive pictures of Stacey sent to me and a few of them have been laminated. And a lot of them are guys asking me if I’ll sign it.

M: Also, the guy who ordered Smithy’s curry has a tattoo on his stomach!

A: I’ve witnessed it! It was just above his belly button: James’ face and the whole system. It made me jealous because I don’t think anyone has ever tattooed my face on it.

M: Maybe after this interview is published, Joe. There will be a Guardian reader there.

What was your real life relationship like off camera?

M: We can’t be anything other than best friends. Only Joe and I know what it feels like to be Gavin and Stacey. Even our partners don’t know. So, it’s only natural that we have a unique bond, having been thrust into the public eye, which has brought with it tremendous heights and some challenges as well. Having support from someone who knows exactly how you feel is something I will always cherish.

JB: This is very beautiful. But I find that too! We joined this job, oh my gosh, when we were in our late 20s and it’s been a huge whirlwind. It was my first job where I had a major leadership role. And then, working with Matt, there was chemistry and it was always good. Everything seemed so normal.

I’m now in my 40s and our friendship has continued – and he still makes me feel the same way. I can be very reckless and get very excited, so I love Matt’s source of calm that always makes me laugh. I feel very safe with him.

Did you keep something from the collection that reminds you of him? Gavin and Stacey?

M: You’ve got our reading text.

A: Yes, me too!

M: I got the beer mat you gave me. I really appreciate it.

JB: And from the end, I kept Stacy’s denim jacket, her yellow dress, and the painting that was in her living room. And then this weird thing made of purple glass, sitting on my bookcase in the basement, because I thought it was just me needs That chicken.

What can Gavin and Stacey teach us about love?

M.H: It’s not about the body; It’s about deep connection.

A: There’s no point in worrying about finding love or trying to be something someone else wants you to be. Gavin and Stacey were just being themselves. (I mean, Stacey was lying a bit, right? Aside from that…) I think it teaches you that love exists and it’s not something you’re really looking for.

When he hits you, he hits you.