Gavin and Stacey star Alison Steadman says she is keeping her fingers crossed following reports that a new Christmas special could be on the horizon and that channels of communication between the cast are open.
The veteran actress, 77, played Gavin’s mum Pam Shipman in the beloved BBC sitcom, which ran for three series along with two Christmas specials with the last airing in 2019 and ending on a cliffhanger.
Since then, fans have been crying out for more, with Steadman admitting “if I had a pound for every time I’m asked, I’d be a rich woman!
“I cross my fingers all of the time because I’m really hoping we will, but until my agent gives me that phone call I don’t know,” she told the Standard.
Adding: “I’d be running straight to the studio!”
Cast including James Corden and Larry Lamb have previously revealed that there’s a Gavin & Stacey WhatsApp group, which Steadman says is still active.
“We don’t speak that often but now and again something will come up and someone will tell a gag or something and that’s nice to have that,” she said.
Elsewhere, she is busy working on a memoire spanning her illustrious career, which first began in 1963. “There’s a lot actually,” she laughs. “It wasn’t until I started going through it that I realised how much there was to actually talk about. That’s quite a job. It’s much more than I had anticipated.
“In the autumn I’ll be doing a third series of Here We Go for the BBC. They’ve just put out the second series, it finished last week. So I’m pleased to say we’re doing another series, I love it, it’s a great cast and we all get on well.
“It’s exhausting of course, particularly at my age!”
She has no intention of slowing down anytime soon however as she discusses another passion close to her heart - being an ambassador for Marie Curie.
The UK’s leading end-of-life charity supported Steadman’s mother during her final days and the actress has been an active supporter for more than 20 years, coming on board officially in 2017.
Since then, she has lent her name and time to various Marie Curie campaigns, attending events and recording voiceovers for television and radio ads.
During lockdown, she even hosted a Gavin & Stacey quiz on Zoom, which raised more than £60,000.
For its latest campaign, the charity has commissioned artist Lisa Buchanan, also known as Dangerosa, to reimagine classic artworks depicting the end of life by artists including Edvard Munch and Ary Scheffer, to feature real life Marie Curie Nurses and Healthcare Assistants.
Steadman had the opportunity to view the unique pieces and were on display at a special exhibition for one day only and will now be auctioned off to raise funds for the charity.
Describing the artworks as “really moving,” she went on to hail the charity for their work, saying : “Marie Curie supported our family and my dear mum at their Liverpool hospice and I’ll always be grateful for how wonderful they were and how much they helped when she most needed it.
“My mum lived for two years after her diagnosis and I doubt she would have done if she hadn’t had that kind of positive vibes from staff.
“It’s only right that some of the charity’s nurses and healthcare assistants have been immortalised in these beautiful paintings.”The Great Daffodil Appeal takes place throughout March people are encouraged to donate and wear a daffodil to help the charity continue to support people with any illness they’re likely to die from. For information and to donate visit: Mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil
