Ruth Jones and James Corden book to show how friendship forged Gavin And Stacey

By Charlotte McLaughlin, PA Senior Entertainment Reporter

Ruth Jones and James Corden have revealed they will release a new book about Gavin And Stacey, exploring their “own real-life friendship” as the show ends.

The pair, who co-created the BBC sitcom about a long-distance relationship, are bringing Gavin And Stacey to a close this year with a finale on Christmas Day.

When Gavin Met Stacey And Everything In Between: A Story Of Love And Friendship, which will be released next year, will feature Corden and Jones reading the audiobook.

They said: “We’re so excited to be sharing the story behind the story of Gavin And Stacey.

“The show has played a huge part in our 25-year friendship and we hope this book will give readers a fresh insight into how it all came about.”

Publishers Transworld Publishers, part of Penguin Random House, teased that the book will “recount the rejection, obstacles and challenges they faced on the way to giving birth to their beloved comedy creation”, and “James and Ruth also explore the flourishing of their own real-life friendship”.

It was also delve into the “tentative initial pitch to the emotionally overwhelming final day of filming” along with sharing never-before-heard stories.

Susanna Wadeson, publisher of non-fiction at Transworld, said: “What a huge privilege it is to be working with James and Ruth.

“It is incredibly exciting to hear directly from them all that happened along the way from the first spark of an idea to three series and two Christmas specials.

“And it is particularly special to be given an insight into their creative partnership and how their friendship has grown while Nessa and Smithy, Gavin and Stacey becoming ever-increasingly important to all of us.”

Fans have high-expectations for the 2024 festive special following 2019’s last instalment ending with a cliff-hanger when Vanessa “Nessa” Jenkins, played by Jones, proposed to Corden’s character Neil ‘Smithy’ Smith.

Bill Scott-Kerr, publisher at Transworld, said: “Seeing the creative chemistry between Ruth and James up close is an inspiration in itself and a real insight into the fission which made Gavin and Stacey the cultural phenomenon that it is.

“It’s also inspiring to see how a friendship can translate into something which feels so wonderfully universal and profoundly true.”

Corden and Jones previously released Gavin And Stacey: From Barry to Billericay in 2008, shortly after the show began in 2007.

When Gavin Met Stacey And Everything In Between: A Story Of Love And Friendship is set for release on October 16th, 2025.

Gavin And Stacey: The Finale will air on BBC One from 9pm on Christmas Day and will also be available on BBC iPlayer.