James Corden has revealed the real reason he isn't prepared to make a new series of Gavin & Stacey - and it's all down to co-writer Ruth Jones.
The much-loved BBC sitcom - which first aired in May 2007 - made a brief reappearance in 2019 with a 'one-off' Christmas special.
But while most viewers would love to see the Shipman family and their Welsh in-laws back on screens for a fourth series, they may be slightly disappointed.
It comes after 43-year-old James, who plays Essex lad Smithy, discussed the possibility of a new series on BBC Radio 2's Breakfast Show.
The Late Late Show host spoke to Vernon Kay, who is filling in for Zoe Ball, on the radio show today (June 28).
Vernon asked: "Gavin & Stacey – is it the end or are you sitting down writing or is the story going to continue? What’s going on in your head?"
James responded: “I wish I could say it’s up to me. The best thing about Gavin & Stacey is that it’s Ruth and I and, if I’m being completely honest, her judgement is exceptional.”
Vernon added: “Right, so she’ll know when will she?”
James explained: “Yeah, or if. And so, look I am going to have a bit more free time as of sort of next year and that will open some time for us to just be together I hope, but honestly, and I’m so touched every time I get here when people ask about it.
"It’s amazing, it's incredible how people care about those characters in the show. It’s so great and I realise the ending of that special does very definitely tease something else. But, Ruth is, it’s always been the two of us, it’s always been.
"And we can’t write separately. We’ve never been able to write over Zoom or anything at all. We’ve just got to be in a room together, talking with a pack of Post-It Notes and a pen and at some point we get a laptop out, but that’s even way down the line. And she just always knows."
James went on to praise co-creator Ruth, who plays Stacey's best friend Nessa Jenkins in the hit BBC show.
"She is, I think, a genius and I love, for me I would be excited just to be in a room with her so we will," he went on.
"I’m going to see her this summer, but I doubt we’ll talk about the show. The last few times we’ve talked we haven’t even mentioned it really... it’s always a friendship first.
"I’m so proud of the fact – what are we now, 15 years on or whatever, we love each other so much and our families and all those things, so she’ll know when it’s right and together we’ll figure it out. If IF that ever happens, but I do think it’s a big if I don’t think it’s a when.”
The last time Gavin & Stacey aired was in 2019 when the Christmas episode ended on a cliff hanger.
Nessa (played by Ruth) asked Smithy (played by James) to marry her but viewers didn't get to find out what came after.
Rumours began swirling about a potential return of the iconic BBC show after it was reported that James will be returning to the UK to be with his family.
It fuelled speculation that he will once again team up with Ruth Jones to bring back Gavin & Stacey, which ended in 2010.
Meanwhile, Larry Lamb and Alison Steadman were recently spotted filming at Barry Island in Wales.
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