Top 10 Gavin & Stacey Moments

We’ll set the scene to start, with Gavin hot-footing it across the country to Wales. Having met up with Stacey for the first time in London, with Smithy and Nessa copping off in the process, the pair share a teary goodbye in the capital. Cue Gav being spontaneous, catching Stacey’s coach in time to meet again. Nessa isn’t all that bothered, but the show’s titular couple drop the L word there and then. Uncle Bryn was worrying over nothing. And so, the story begins.

From young love to, well, a different kind of love. Dawn and Pete offer some of the show’s funniest and most awkward moments, with their constant and often brutal bickering. So, it was reasonably unexpected when they decided to renew their marriage vows. Watching Pete recite Coldplay before Dawn delivers some MJ, it’s cringe comedy at its finest. But that’s before the rings are brought out, and the illusion shatters within seconds. Poor Pete.

Another stand-out supporting character, Bryn’s a guy with everyone’s best interests at heart. Like here, for example. Sure, Gavin’s quite capable of planning his own route home. But Bryn’s on hand to help him out, anyway, even if he is delightfully out of touch. Bryn’s mind is regularly blown by modern technology, and he insists on relaying his outdated wisdom at any given moment. If you’ve ever found it difficult to navigate the web, then listen up.

Smithy’s affection for Gav’s family is a particularly charming aspect of the series, and his fondness for food is a long-running gag. So, a takeaway at the Shipman’s is right up his street. But God help anyone who suggests that he shares. Dawn drops the culinary clanger, and Smithy goes off. To be fair, he makes quite a solid argument. Mick appears convinced, Pete’s just intimidated, and Pam seems confused. Maybe she’s just bewildered by Smithy’s choice of words. Unexpectable? The hunger’s turning his brain to mush!

A kindly old woman who says it like it is, straight-talking Doris sets the tone with her dating advice in episode one. And she sure as hell doesn’t rate salad for a buffet. But this clip from the Christmas Special is neighbourly love at its best. Gwen and Bryn only stopped by to invite her round for a bit of Baileys, but they leave with more than they’d bargained for. And with one of the show’s most quotable lines.

Thanks to ongoing tension between Smithy and Nessa, and some excruciating small talk from Bryn, this scene is awkward from the outset. But then Gavin and Stacey get going upstairs, and it’s all hands on deck to try and ignore the obvious. Raised voices, weather forecasts, desperate dancing – it’s a chaotic couple of minutes, and a godsend when Gavin finally arrives at the table. Of course, he’s none the wiser.

The big finale for season one, and our title characters are finally getting hitched. But regardless of the romance, Smithy’s a man in turmoil. On the one hand he wants Gav to be happy, on the other he doesn’t want things to change, and he doesn’t even know about Nessa and the baby yet. So, to the best man’s speech, by which time Smithy’s an emotional wreck. One blubbed visual gag and something about Gavin and football, and that’s your lot.

By series three, the wedding seems a long time ago. Now, the couple are trying for a family, but getting pregnant is proving more difficult than they’d envisaged. Even Smithy offers to help them out. But here’s where things all fall into place, after Stacey clears the chemist of Clear Blue. A relief if ever we’ve seen one, and wrapping up the final episode, Gav’s faith in his own fertility is finally restored.

A highlight of a highly regarded Christmas Special, this clip is bound to make you smile, whatever the time of year. Because, when all’s said and done, it’s just two mates belting out a classic and having a great time. Sure, Smithy seems a little frustrated with the chap in front, and his language isn’t quite befitting the festive feel, but as Gavin treats the carpark to his side of the duet, it’s Christmas TV at its best. Just don’t forget Midge Ure.

Few TV relationships are rockier than Smithy and Nessa’s. Despite trading endless insults and appearing to despise each other most of the time, the will they/won’t they saga never lets up. But, a pivotal moment comes at the end of season two, when Smithy very nearly misses the birth of his son. Breaking across the border and sprinting through the hospital, he and Gav arrive in the nick of time, for the emotional highpoint of the series. Pass the tissues, please.