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Gavin and Stacey returns on Christmas Day for the final time (Image: PA)
EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy, who has played Sonia Fowler since 1993, has revealed she once auditioned for a key role in Gavin and Stacey but missed out.
The actress made the confession on the Off The Telly podcast, which she co-hosts with Joanna Page, who plays Stacey in the popular comedy.
The podcast featured a star-studded lineup, including Adrian Scarborough, Robert Wilfort, Christine Gernon, and a surprise appearance by James Corden. As they discussed the show ahead of its final episode on Christmas Day, Natalie shared her little-known connection to the series.
She said: "Can I tell you a secret? Not about me, but I've got one tiny link to Gavin and Stacey. I auditioned for the part of Smithy's sister."
Natalie confessed to Joanna that she had previously told her about the audition but had never spoken about it publicly. She recalled: "I told you [Joanna} but I've not said it out loud. I went up Oxford Street into Baby Cow. Did all my read with James and didn't go to plan, unfortunately."
The role of Smithy's sister Ruth 'Rudi' Smith ultimately went to Sheridan Smith, known for her role in The Royal Family. Sheridan is set to reprise her role after over a decade, with a source close to the show telling The Sun that she is "over the moon" to be back, reports the Mirror.
Natalie Cassidy and Joanna Page host a podcast together (Image: DAILY MIRROR)
The source added: "She is an incredible actress and stepped straight back into Rudi's shoes", according to Wales Online. An insider has spilled that after a mammoth 14-year break, she waltzed back into her role as Rudi like no time had slipped away at all.
The source divulged: "Sheridan was over the moon she could go back into the fold and her scenes are brilliant."
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On a recent podcast episode, Robert Wilfort who plays Jason, lavished praise on the needlessness of improvisation in Gavin and Stacey, crediting the top-notch writing by Ruth Jones and James Corden.
He shared his insights, stating: "Their scripts are so good, we don't need to. What's unusual is we have rehearsals, a lot of shows don't have time for rehearsals, we always have a week's rehearsal."
"Sometimes you throw a little bit in and James and Ruth go 'I like that' but they're so good. You can tell they act it out themselves, and they know the characters so well."
He raved further: "You know they've sat around the kitchen table and acted it out, and they're so good."
And just a nudge for fans, don't miss out on Gavin and Stacey: The Finale airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer this Christmas Day at 9pm as well as Gavin and Stacey: A Fond Farewell showcasing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on New Year's Day at 7pm.
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