This Christmas marked the long-awaited return of the iconic BBC comedy series Gavin & Stacey. Earlier in the year, show creators James Corden and Ruth Jones had confirmed that the show would return for one final special, which revealed Smithy’s answer to Nessa’s proposal.
One person who was more than a little excited was Karen ‘Kaz’ Barrett, better known by her internet persona ‘Knock off Nessa.’ Kaz is an impersonator whose full-time job involved being Nessa from the hit show, a role originally played by Ruth Jones. She gained thousands of followers on social media, with people regularly requesting her for video messages.
In an interview with Cardiff Life Magazine, Kaz said: “My friends always used to say to me, ‘Kaz, you sound like Nessa,’ and my hairdresser turned around to me one day and said, ‘If Ruth Jones came to Barry and met you, she wrote the sitcom with you in mind.’ That’s where all this was born.”
Reflecting on the early days of her business, which saw her collaborate with Barry Island Tours and Knights Estate Agents, she added: “I’ve been doing this full-time since February, and it’s just exploded. Everybody wants a piece of Gavin & Stacey memorabilia, and I provide all the tips on the trade they need to know about the show.
“I’ve had such an amazing response to this. I recently met a lady in her 90s who’d just come out of hospital, and meeting Ruth Jones was actually on her bucket list. She drove past, saw me there in costume, and got out of the car hyperventilating, crying. She couldn’t quite believe her luck. The show just touches people’s lives. I think that’s down to Ruth and James, their writing, and love for Barry. Without them, none of it would be possible.”
Discussing the impact that Gavin & Stacey had on Barry, Kaz said: “To be honest, it’s brought so much tourism to our town. Nobody ever knew where Barry was. People would always say that we were in England. Now, when they say, ‘Where you from?’, I say Barry, and they go, ‘Gavin & Stacey.’ Ruth and James have put us firmly on the map.
“The writing for the show is real. Everybody knows a Ness, everyone knows a Stace, everyone knows a Bryn. And you can just relate to the stories. I’ve sort of grown into my adulthood watching it, and a lot of the stories crossed over into my life. Everyone I speak to has a certain point when it crossed into their lives, and it’s helped them get through situations.”
Earlier this year, filming took place in Barry for the new episode of Gavin & Stacey with all the cast members — including Jones, Corden, Joanna Page, and Mathew Horne — spotted on set. Also seen were Rob Brydon, Melanie Walters, Larry Lamb, and Alison Steadman.
Gavin & Stacey follows the lives of Gavin, from Essex, and Stacey, who is from Barry Island. Their long-distance relationship, filled with hilarious misunderstandings and endearing moments, resonated with viewers worldwide. The contrast between the two characters’ backgrounds and their families’ quirky personalities provided endless opportunities for comedic gold.
Gavin & Stacey: The Finale is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
