Gavin & Stacey actors come together for holiday commercial

Joanna Page and Mathew Horne, known for their roles as Stacey and Gavin Shipman in the beloved TV series Gavin & Stacey, have reunited for a Christmas-themed short, though not in the way fans might have expected. Rather than a new episode of the sitcom, the actors appear in a brief holiday advertisement for a supermarket, sharing a turkey pie while responding to a fans letter about expressing love through food.

The clip begins with Page humorously acknowledging their return: Oh, you didnt think wed let Christmas pass without showing up again, did you? The mini-feature is part of Waitroses six-part How to Say It With Food campaign, where Page and Horne address common festive food dilemmas across the country.

Speaking about working together again, both actors described it as a delightful experience. Although almost a year has passed since the finale of the BBC sitcom, fans still get to see the duo on screen. The original series finale brought closure to several storylines, including Gwen finding love with Dave Coaches, Smithys near-wedding to Sonia, and Smithy and Nessa tying the knot. The episode, written by Ruth Jones and James Corden, drew 12.3 million viewers on Christmas Day.

Horne jokingly responds to Pages opening line: Us? Miss Christmas? Not a chance. But this time we're here to help you say it with food. They then receive an envelope from Santa containing a fans question about showing affection through cooking.

Horne adds: First time saying it, you want a statement. Sixteenth time, you want a statement that doesn't involve socks. The advert also features Waitroses festive campaign starring Keira Knightley and Joe Wilkinson, which tells a charming love story sparked by Sussex Charmer cheese and culminates with Wilkinson presenting Knightley a turkey pie decorated with "I love you".

Page references another iconic moment from Gavin & Stacey, smiling at Horne: Oh, that's so romantic. The actors then share a turkey pie, with Horne cutting a slice for Page, prompting laughter. The advertisement concludes with the pair wishing viewers a Merry Christmas as Knightley and Wilkinson share a festive kiss.

Reflecting on the experience, Page said, You thought you'd seen the last of us! Well, we're back and what fun we had. She added that working with Horne was a treat and highlighted how food brings people together during the holiday season. Horne described the experience as brilliant and called reuniting on set a Christmas tradition.

Author's Commentary: Gavin & Stacey Stars Return in Unexpected Christmas Ad

The reunion of Joanna Page and Mathew Horne, beloved for their roles as Stacey and Gavin Shipman in "Gavin & Stacey," in a holiday ad for Waitrose is a delightful surprise for fans. Though not the long-anticipated new episode of the sitcom, this festive short brings the duo back together in a lighthearted, charming way. The ad, part of Waitrose's "How to Say It With Food" campaign, tackles a familiar holiday dilemma: expressing love through food, an idea both relatable and warm-hearted during the Christmas season.

What makes this reunion so special is not only the nostalgia it evokes but also the natural chemistry between the actors. Despite almost a year passing since the series finale, which ended on a satisfying note for fans, the ad provides a refreshing reminder of the unique bond between Page and Horne. Their banter, such as the playful exchange about "miss[ing] Christmas," brings back the spirit of "Gavin & Stacey" without needing a full episode. Their participation in the ad is not just a marketing move, but an invitation to relive a cherished part of British TV history.

Page and Horne's commentary on food and love is a subtle nod to how traditions evolve over time. In the ad, they humorously navigate a fan's letter about expressing affection through cooking. This reflects a larger societal trend where food continues to serve as an expression of care, particularly during festive seasons. The ad also cleverly integrates moments from the past, including references to the sitcom's iconic scenes, allowing viewers to reconnect with the characters they once adored.

While "Gavin & Stacey" might be over, this Christmas reunion is a reminder that sometimes, a familiar face at the holiday table is all we need to rekindle a sense of togetherness. Page and Horne, though not on the small screen in a new series, still manage to bring a smile and warmth to their audience in this short, cheerful holiday advertisement.

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• Gavin & Stacey stars reunite for Christmas advert