Ruth Jones has spoken of how she will "always be friends" with her Gavin and Stacey co-creator James Corden because they shared the "life-changing experience" of the hit TV show becoming a success. The 56-year-old spoke to Good Housekeeping magazine ahead of her third novel, Love Untold, being published this week.
In the interview she spoke fondly of James Corden, who plays Smithy in the much-loved comedy series. The pair have been co-writers of the sitcom since it first aired in 2007 running until 2010. Fans were delighted when it made a revival in 2019 for a Christmas special but the episode ended in an epic cliffhanger with Ruth Jones' character Nessa Jenkins down on one knee proposing to Smithy.
Ruth, who is the cover star of Good Housekeeping’s November issue, said of her friendship with her co-star and writer James: "We’ll always be friends because we shared this life-changing experience. Neither of our careers would be what they are if it wasn’t for Gavin & Stacey and we’re both incredibly grateful for that.
“It’s funny because it’s 15 years since the first episode," She continued: "And so much has happened since then, yet it feels like yesterday.”
The pair first met while working on ITV drama Fat Friends and James has now gone on to find success in America, fronting his own chat show, The Late Late Show, since 2015. Ruth is known for acting roles in Sky comedy Stella, playing Carry On star Hattie Jacques in a BBC biopic and featuring in Nativity Rocks but has also released a couple of novels - with her debut being published in 2018.
Having turned 56 this year, Ruth reflected on being over 50, telling the magazine: “I’m not sure if it’s age or what’s going on in the world, but I’ve realised that I have to stop taking life for granted.
“When I was younger, I used to think that there was this magical point in the future when everything was going to be perfect… but, let’s be realistic, the majority of my years are behind me now. So this decade is about having my eyes open to the good things that are around me – and enjoying them.”
The actress was presented with an MBE in 2014 during a Windsor Castle investiture ceremony. During the interview she also recalled her meetings with the late Queen Elizabeth II. "I’ve met her twice," Ruth explained.
"Once at a Charles Dickens bicentenary event at Buckingham Palace in 2012 – she was diminutive and quiet, very dignified and quite mesmerising – then when I received my MBE at Windsor Castle in 2014. I feel very lucky to have met her.”
You can read the full interview with Ruth Jones in the November issue of Good Housekeeping on sale now. Ruth's third novel Love Untold is out from September 29.
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