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Wales Online
Wales Online
Lifestyle
Sam Cook

Gavin & Stacey's Ruth Jones had to explain to Joanna Page that Nessa's not real after Strictly joke

Ruth Jones has revealed that Gavin & Stacey co-star Joanna Page was "hysterical" after finding out that 'Nessa' would be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing. The Stacey actress' hysteria was shared by the nation when last month, BBC Three 'unveiled' that Ruth Jones' iconic character would be Strictly 2022's 20th contestant. You can read more about that here.

Speaking to Christine Bleakley on ITV's Lorraine, Ruth said: "That was so funny. I was in Edinburgh in the summer and I got this message from Joanna Page, absolutely hysterical saying: 'Oh my god! I have just read that Nessa from Gavin & Stacey is doing Strictly. I have got to be there, I've got to be in the studio, I've got to come and watch. This is the best news ever!'"

A stunned Ruth continued: "I was thinking, what is she talking about? So I Googled it and it said that Nessa from Gavin & Stacey had been announced as the 20th member of the Strictly clan." Christine laughed and Ruth reiterated how she had to tell Joanna that "Nessa was not real".

Read more: Stacey Solomon lands her own BBC Christmas show

Ruth broke the news to her Gavin & Stacey co-star that "Nessa isn't real" (ITV)

Elsewhere in the interview, Ruth discussed Gavin & Stacey's popularity and its potential return. As ever, the 56-year-old actress from Bridgend, said: "You never know!" when asked about a comeback for the popular comedy series, though she did also muse that characters Smithy and Nessa would probably be divorced by now, that is, if they did tie the knot after the cliffhanger at the end of the 2019 special, which saw Ruth's character go down on one knee.

Ruth and Joanna in character whilst filming for the Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special in 2019 (PA)

Up and down the country, Ruth has currently been promoting her new novel, Love Untold, which focuses on the complex bond between mothers and daughters. The idea for the new book was inspired by Ruth’s appearance on the BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are?

Forever tied to her Welsh roots, the actress has also showed her support for local arts projects. Ruth is backing Cardiff's Ukrainian Arts Festival, which is being held from September 30 - October 1 at The Sherman Theatre in Cardiff. Supported and organised by talent agent Leigh-Ann Regan, the festival aims to raise money for Ukrainian charitable foundations. You can get more celebrity news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.

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