'I feel so lucky...' Alison Steadman reflects on Gavin and Stacey role as The Finale looms

Alison Steadman feels "so lucky" that James Corden and Ruth Jones wrote the part of Pamela Shipman in 'Gavin and Stacey' especially for her.

The 78-year-old actress has played Pam - the mother of titular character Gavin (Mathew Horne) - since the BBC comedy first aired back in 2007 and she is reprising the role in the upcoming Christmas special.

Alison found out that the show's creators Ruth Jones and James Corden wrote the character Pam especially for her after they worked with her on ITV series 'Fat Friends', and she admits it has been one of the highlights of her illustrious acting career.

Appearing on 'Loose Women', she said: "I feel so lucky that I worked with Ruth and James on 'Fat Friends' years ago. They decided to write the series and wrote that part of Pamela for me. I was so thrilled. She's such a great character to dive into."

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Alison is certain that the special, which has been named 'The Finale', will indeed be the end of the show with viewers finding out what happens to Smithy and Nessa - played by James and Ruth, respectively - and the rest of the gang.

She said: "It was very emotional. When we did the final day, the wrap.

"I think it will be the final one. It's called 'The Finale'. It's been such a great experience, it really has."

Alison admits filming the upcoming episode was very special because it felt as though she was reuniting with her family due to close bonds between the cast, which also includes Larry Lamb, Rob Brydon and Joanna Page, who plays Stacey.

She said: "It was brilliant, it was wonderful, we do feel like a big family - 17 years ago, was the first series. It was so good to be back together, we were all chatting and hugging each other."

'Gavin and Stacey: The Finale' airs on Christmas Day (25.12.24) on BBC One.