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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Jada Jones

Gavin & Stacey 'Neil the Baby' has found surprise TikTok fame after accidental video

Fans of classic show Gavin & Stacey may fondly remember seeing "Neil the Baby" on screen, but the actor isn't so small in 2022.

Oscar Hartland, who has just turned 13, once played the baby on the popular show and is currently readying himself to take on his GCSEs.

But he hasn't stepped away from the camera with him taking TikTok by storm.

His recent posts on the video sharing app have been viewed hundreds of thousands of times - with Gavin & Stacey fans from across the globe coming to see what "Neil the Baby" looks like now.

He indulges viewers by answering questions about his time on show and sharing throwback pictures - bringing in waves of nostalgia.

Oscar Hartland is now readying himself for his GCSEs (Oscar Hartland)

The young boy, from Caerphilly, didn't intend to find himself back in the limelight again. He had just intended to enjoy the popular app alongside his friends.

But he's enjoying taking some time to reminisce on his acting days.

He said: "I made TikToks not to get viral, just for a bit of a laugh with my mates.

"But that night I made that one Gavin & Stacey one and, it just blew up. I didn't think it would get as big as it did."

Oscar came back for the Christmas special (BBC/Gavin & Stacey)

Viewers across a range of ages and locations have been thrilled to see a much more grown-up Neil, but not all believe the teenager to be him.

Some TikTokers have demanded proof that Oscar is in fact the actor from the show, which he has quickly provided.

Not only is the young boy being recognised online, but sometimes fans of the show recognise him in person too.

He said: "People always get really excited when they realise in public, they'll rush to take a picture and things, we have fun with it."

Oscar has shared throwback pictures from his time on the show (Oscar Hartland)
Oscar returned to the show at the age of 11 (Richard Swingler)

Not only does Oscar get this treatment, but his aunt in Australia has also experienced fans requesting he visit her so that they can have a chance to meet the actor.

WalesOnline reports that he said: "She's gained quite a following from it herself."

Oscar was too young during his initial run on Gavin & Stacey to remember being on the show, but he was thrilled to be invited back for the Christmas special.

Neil was played by three different babies at the time, but it was Oscar who was the lucky youngster to reprise the role in the special.

Oscar reprised his role of Neil the Baby in the Christmas special (Richard Swingler)

Oscar believes this to be a result of his appearance being the best-suited of the three.

The young actor has made it clear that he wants to continue in the arts, with him taking music, drama and project design at GCSE level.

Oscar is optimistic about what his future holds but his father, James Hartland, made sure he took project design to ensure that he has a trade to fall back on.

He said: "There's got to be something to keep him going, acting might be good for ten years then things change, it's good to have a trade to fall back on."

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