Rob Brydon gives Gavin & Stacey update as he says leak was 'horrible'

The actor will reprise the role of Uncle Bryn in the Christmas special

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 18: Rob Brydon attends the My Lady Jane Photocall at Hotel Cafe Royal on June 18, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images)
Rob Brydon opened up about the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special. (Getty Images)

Rob Brydon has admitted it was “horrible” having to lie about the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special.

It was recently confirmed that the hit sitcom would be returning for a festive episode this year. The news came after years of speculation about whether James Corden, Ruth Jones and co would give fans another peek at the goings on in Barry.

The cast were obviously in the know before viewers but the news ended up being leaked. And during an appearance on The One Show on Thursday, Brydon revealed it was a bit awkward pretending he didn’t know anything about it. He also shared that the cameras are yet to roll on the eagerly anticipated programme.

The actor - who plays Uncle Bryn – said: “We just had a call, I think it was James again, who said, ‘Yeah I think we are going to do it.’ It was a while ago. And then it was leaked. Which was horrible, because you had to lie then when people would ask you… really close friends and family.”

Rob Brydon said it was 'horrible' having to keep the secret. (BBC screengrab)
Rob Brydon said it was 'horrible' having to keep the secret. (BBC screengrab)

He went on: “It's confusing because we haven’t filmed it yet, we are not doing it until after the summer. People come up to me and they say, ‘I bet you are looking forward to Christmas, Rob’ and I say, ‘Yeah, yeah… well it’s a nice time of year… Oh I see what you mean!’ And they are talking about the special.”

Talking to the BBC’s show’s hosts Alex Jones and Vernon Kay about the moment that Corden called to tell him they were reuniting, he said: “He always calls me Bobby. This is what James does every time. I pick up and he goes, ‘There he is! Bobby!’ And I say, ‘What’s going on?’ And he said, ‘Well, we’ve done it. We have written another one’.”

“Once again did it in total secrecy,” the actor added. “None of us had a clue that they (Corden and Jones) had been together and working away at it.”

Gavin and Stacey might not be back for more. (BBC)
Gavin & Stacey is coming back for another festive special. (BBC)

Gavin & Stacey follows couple Gavin (Mathew Horne) who is from Essex and Stacey (Joanna Page), from Barry in Wales, and their friends Smithy (Corden) and Nessa (Jones). It started in 2007 and ran for three series and two Christmas specials.

The last instalment aired in 2019 and ended on a cliffhanger, with Nessa getting down on one knee to propose to Smithy.

Fans were desperate for more, and the question of whether Gavin & Stacey would return has come up countless times over the years.

Then in May, creators Corden and Jones posted a picture of a script on social media as they told fans: “Some news… It’s official!!! We have finished writing the last ever episode of Gavin and Stacey. See you on Christmas Day, BBC One. Love Ruth and James.”