Don’t be surprised if the stars of Gavin and Stacey look convincingly merry in their Christmas Day special... because they are.
Co-writer James Corden suggested the cast sink real booze for a rousing scene after Gavin’s Essex clan head to South Wales to hook up with Stacey’s family.
James, 41, and co-creator Ruth Jones, 53, are reunited with the original cast 10 years on from the comedy’s last series.
Robert Wilfort, 42, who plays Jason, revealed the boozy pub scene.
He said: “It was just one of the loveliest days I’ve had on set filming with everyone.
“Towards the end of the last day filming we may have had a real drink in that scene.
“Because we didn’t have any lines and we were just enjoying ourselves we did all have a drink.
“It was James’s idea.”
Melanie Walters, 56, who plays Gwen, added: “What with that and all the singing and dancing, there was no effort involved.
“I think that transfers to the screen as well.”
The cast – including Mathew Horne, Joanna Page, Rob Brydon, Alison Steadman and Larry Lamb – had already bonded with pub sessions off screen. Joanna, 42, who plays Stacey, says “hard as nails” Alison, 73, drank her co-stars under the table.
She said: “It was really lovely. We went out in the evenings, we drank lots of gin, we had lots of chats.” Mat, 41 – alias Gavin – added: “Even Rob Brydon came out. Rob is so dull, he never socialises.
“Alison is always the last one standing. It was such a ball.
“And that comes across on screen. Particularly the pub.” Fans will be left wanting more after the one-off special. And Larry Lamb, 72, wants it to be made into a film.
He said: “I think the audience would go to the ends of the Earth to see a movie.
“It’s so much larger than life now, it’s a national treasure.”
