Nearly 20 years after the pilot episode, Mathew Horne and Joanna Page, who played Gavin and Stacey, are revisiting their iconic roles. The actors, now working together on the podcast Table for Four, shared memories of how they became one of Britain's most beloved TV couples.
First meeting and instant chemistry
Joanna Page recalled her first audition with Horne: 'I had to go in and read with Mat. I was quite nervous because I knew he was the fella off Catherine Tate and I thought he would be quite cool. But he was really lovely and we clicked and did some scenes together.'
Horne added: 'In one of the scenes we had to kiss. It was quite bold of them! You wouldn't have that now – you'd have an intimacy coordinator.' Page agreed: 'That is mad isn't it? I'm just like: “Oh hi, I'm Jo, nice to meet you.” Then two minutes later, we're kissing.'
The secret to Gavin and Stacey's love
According to Page, the couple's love was 'a massive big explosion of love at first. I don't think you can explain that kind of chemistry. It's instinctive.' She noted that Gavin offered stability: 'She doesn't have her dad any more – she's got Uncle Bryn who's been looking out for her – and I think that stability of a safe, happy marriage is what Stacey was really looking for.'
Horne emphasized the emotional connection: 'The key thing is that the connection was purely emotional. It wasn't a picture on Tinder. Or a physical meeting. It wasn't seeing her in a bar. It was a connection over the phone. When they met, he'd almost already made the decision that this was the one.'
Memorable romantic moments
Horne's favourite romantic moment was the beer mat scene in the 2019 Christmas special: 'I loved meeting on the island when you gave me the beer mat … There was something really reassuring about it because we'd come back together after 10 years and it was a really intimate, tender moment – but on Barry promenade with thousands of people around at 1am.'
Page cherished simple scenes: 'In the first years, I loved simple things like when they are just sitting and sharing a bag of chips. It's very beautiful.' She also highlighted the argument and makeup scene in series one, when Gavin discovers Stacey's five previous engagements.
Impact on fans and real-life romance
The show has had a profound effect on viewers. Page said: 'People have named their children after Gavin and Stacey. All forms of animals have been named after them. The most intense is when you meet someone and they've been very ill or through a marriage breakup and you can see that they're still pretty vulnerable and they say: “It saved my life, it was the only thing that got me through.”'
Horne added: 'It's a real privilege to have been part of something that can affect people like that.' Page also noted that fans often send her laminated photos of Stacey, and even a man with Smithy's curry order tattooed on his stomach.
Off-screen friendship
Horne described their bond: 'We couldn't have been anything other than the closest of friends. Only Jo and I know what it feels like to be Gavin and Stacey. Even our partners don't know. So, we naturally have a unique bond.' Page agreed: 'I'm now going through my 40s and our friendship has lasted – and he still makes me feel the same. I feel very safe with him.'
What Gavin and Stacey teach about love
Horne concluded: 'It's not about the physical; it's about a deep connection.' Page added: 'There's no point in worrying about finding love or trying to be something that somebody else wants you to be. Gavin and Stacey were completely themselves. … When it hits you, it hits you.'
