How James Corden's Fame Affected His Bond with Ruth Jones
New revelations from a recent book shed light on how James Corden's pursuit of fame nearly damaged his working relationship with Gavin and Stacey co-creator Ruth Jones.
When the show first aired in May 2007, audiences were captivated. Created by Ruth Jones and James Corden, the series eventually reached 22 episodes, including several beloved Christmas specials. The final episode in December drew an extraordinary 21 million viewers, numbers unseen since the era of Morecambe and Wise.
By the later seasons, filming locations in South Wales were surrounded by eager fans, controlled by tight security. Paparazzi frequently pursued the cast, and roads were sealed off to prevent leaks about the storyline.
The Story at its Core
The show's charm rested in its simplicity: an Essex man, Gavin (Mathew Horne), meets a woman from Barry Island, Stacey (Joanna Page), before the rise of social media. Their connection begins at work over the phone, blossoms when they meet in London, and ultimately leads to marriage, home life, and children — a believable and heartfelt story about ordinary love.
Dynamic Characters
Adding depth and comedy to the narrative were two larger-than-life characters. Ruth Jones played Nessa, a sharp-tongued woman with a wild past — rumored to have shared a Vegas night with two of Gladys Knight’s Pips — while James Corden portrayed Smithy, Gavin’s lively best friend. Their clashing personalities fueled much of the show's humor and warmth.
“Like everybody else, I was enchanted by Gavin and Stacey when it first started in May 2007.”
Legacy and Strain
Behind the success lay tension. As Corden’s celebrity status grew, the balance between creative partnership and fame became harder to maintain. What began as a heartfelt collaboration slowly strained under the weight of public attention and ambition.
Author’s Summary: A candid look at how fame tested James Corden and Ruth Jones’s creative bond, turning their shared triumph into a story of distance behind the scenes.