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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Mark Jefferies

Gavin and Stacey's baby Neil is returning with same actor playing child - 12 years on

A baby who played Smithy and Nessa's son in Gavin and Stacey is returning to his role in the new Christmas special - 12 years on.

Oscar Hartland is reprising his role as Neil for the hotly anticipated BBC special.

Whereas fans last saw him as a gurgling tot in the arms of actors James Corden and Ruth Jones, he will now be a grumpy 12-year-old schoolboy.

Corden told The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show: "When we shot the last series, Nessa and Smithy had had their baby.

"So, on the set, we had two babies who would be Neil The Baby. If one of them was crying we would switch it out for the other one.

"The actor who is playing Neil The Baby is one of those babies.

"Oscar Hartland is absolutely fantastic. He is one of the babies that was the baby in series three."

Another of the former babies, Ewan Kennedy, was also involved as he "came to the set to say hello as well," Corden said.

Co-star Rob Brydon, who plays Uncle Bryn, quipped of Hartland's appearance now: "When you see him you'll totally accept that he's the child of Ruth and James..."

Oscar Hartland will play baby Neil 12 years on (EmilyTenny/Twitter)

He teased Corden and Jones: "I don't know what you were doing 12 years ago... but there is nobody more (like you). "

Jones told the Radio 2 show: "Alison Steadman said that to me yesterday. She said, 'Are you sure it isn't yours and James's love child?"'

Nessa Jenkins and Neil 'Smithy' Smith (BBC)

Corden said of the return of the BBC One show: "It feels incredibly emotional for all of us.

"I hope they (viewers) receive it in the manner that it's always been made, an absolute labour of love about friends and family."

But he was less effusive about the Cats movie, in which he also stars.

"I haven't seen it but I've heard it's terrible!" he said of the reviews.

"I'll catch it one day I'll imagine."

The Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special airs at 8.30pm on BBC One on Christmas Day.

 
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