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Kathryn Williams

15 bits of Gavin and Stacey that will make you wet yourself laughing

We've all got our favourite bits of Gavin & Stacey, the absolutely classic Welsh comedy that's returned to TV on Christmas day 2019 after a decade.

There really were too many bits to choose from when it came to picking the funniest — but we have tried. Ruth Jones and James Corden's scripts and characters are constant comedy gold, with a turn of phrase here, a catchphrase there and all out, laugh-out-loud scenes and one liners.

Nessa, Bryn, Doris and Pam have the most quotable lines, we're not gonna lie, with some of their sayings have entered  the country's psyche, with us all saying them like they were always part of our vocabulary. As we gear up for the new episode, remind yourself of some of the best moments from a decade ago that will still have you giggling away.

Not being funny, we probably haven't got everyone's favourite moment here. But truth be told, at the end of the day, each to their own.

1. Leeeave... NOW!

(BBC)

An exceptionally stressed, and sinister, Bryn leads this absolute belter of a scene that will have you screaming.

Trying to organise Gwen's surprise party is taking its toll on Bryn and when Ted comes round to confirm the village hall booking, they are interrupted by Gwen inviting the visitor in.

What ensues is the most hilariously awkward exchange. Goodbye.

2. Where's the salad?

(BBC)

An iconic moment series. Doris couldn't be arsed making the salad for Neil the Baby's Christening, because people want 'cheap crap'.

She is willing Ness to come up and have a pop - she's ready with a stinger about some money Nessa has borrowed previously.

3. Smithy's Curry Order

(BBC)

The massive order (for posterity's sake: Chicken bhuna, lamb bhuna, prawn bhuna, mushroom rice, bag of chips and nine poppadoms), the incorrect saying of "unacceptable", the vehement stand against sharing a curry.

"A korma is futile, I won't touch it," says Smithy.

4. Nessa & Stacey's heart-to-heart

We know exactly what she means, right?

Nessa doesn't get soppy very often and this stream of Welsh clichés is the best you're gonna get. 

5. Anything Doris

Doris is filth.

She's had a good time in life and there's nothing wrong with that. From toyboys to dating advice for Stacey, Doris is here for a good time, not a long time.

Particularly at Christmas when she loves a drink or two.

6. OH-Bama vs OH-Sama

(BBC)

The essential information that every baby in 2009 needed to know. So who better to deliver the message than Nessa?

Delivered in her inimitable way: 'OH-Bama' and 'OH-Sama.'

7. Nessa as Father Christmas

Nessa's trademark 'OH' couldn't go without multiple mentions and the Christmas special has a cracker (sorry) especially when she has Gav to sit on her knee.

8. Dave Coaches' motto

(iwannabeyrdog.tumblr.com)

Dave Coaches was very lax with his bus rules, but he did object to the hard stuff.

I suppose you have to have standards?

9. Everything about Uncle Bryn

Just Bryn. And we'll tell you for why.

Whether it's rape alarms, MySpace, You Tube, route planners or DVD extras, anything that comes out of Uncle Bryn's mouth is out of this world.

Even his singing of James Blunt. And don't even mention the mint Baileys.

We could go on and on. But we won't, go off and watch the show!

10. Pete/Dawn... Puff/Daddy

(BBC)

"Bloody hell Pete, how much did that cost? It's disgusting!" cries Dawn as she sees the eternity ring that Pete has bought for their wedding renewal.

Pete and Dawn are  a constant source of awkward laughs and their love/hate relationship reaches a peak at their wedding vows renewal, where Pete quotes Coldplay and buys a disgusting ring,

As Mick says: "Where'd you buy that, Sierra Leone?"

But Pete has a plan for the initial, ruby-encrusted ring - the 'P' stands for Pete AND Dawn depending which way you look at it.

Or Puff Daddy as sarkily suggested by Mick.

11.  Pam vs Edna

(BBC)

Christmas special 2008,  Edna Sutcliffe pops up from behind Pam and Mick's bar during Noel's Christmas Presents.

Pam's reaction, rolling up of a magazine as if she's going to swat a fly, is subtle comedy gold.

"Stay well back, she's bitten Dawn before," she says.

The appearance of veteran actress Edna Doré is yet another nod in this episode to EastEnders.

There's the not so subtle 'What time is EastEnders on?' from Mick aka Larry Lamb, who was actually in EastEnders at the time as Archie Mitchell.

12. Oh my Christ!

Pam's constant state of shock and gossip is one of the best ongoing themes in Gavin & Stacey and "Oh my Christ" has entered the national vocabulary.

The way she says things, the way she reacts, Alison Steadman is pure class.

But for Three Steaks Pam it's her desperation to hold onto her 'Little Prince' that causes her to really fly off the handle.

When she finds out that Gav & Stacey are getting married in Wales, she loses it: "BARRY ISLAND? Where are you going to have the reception, on the log flume?'

13.  Islands in the Stream

The peak moment of a great episode, Gwen's SURPRISE barn dance , where that bitch Jean turned up, was when Uncle Bryn and Nessa serenaded the crowd with the Dolly Parton/Kenny Rogers classic.

And although there are so many parts of Gavin & Stacey that are memorable, this episode has so many good parts that people remember.

14. Come on Smithy!

(BBC)

"Now you listen here and you listen good, look at me... "

Bryn's gym pep talk is inspiring and creepy at the same time, but not as disconcertingly hilarious and him and Smithy bellowing out each other's names and a workout to Girls Aloud's cover of Jump. And, as with most of the show, it's Gavin's reaction that makes it even funnier: "It just seems weird you and my uncle-in-law working out with your tops off and rubbing each other."

15. Mick's gonna be on the telly!

(BBC)

The ringaround, the excitement, the mistaken age and the "This is the best day of my life". Mick's appearance on TV is a brilliant example of a small thing growing to an absolute gem of a scene.

"A body has been found in a Billericay car park."

"WAAYYHEYY!" the assembled family cheer.

But it soon turns to disappointment: "Is that it?"

It's worth mentioning the oven glove conversation that follows, too.

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