GAVIN & STACEY Christmas specials are part of TV folklore.
But lead star Joanna Page has revealed one of the most endearing scenes from the BBC sitcom’s original festive episode in 2008 was faked.
The Welsh actress, who plays Stacey Shipman, says the moment on-screen father-in-law Larry Lamb played Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas on the keyboard was dubbed on by editors, as the actor was “dreadful” on the keys.
Mick Shipman star Larry “played” the festive classic while surrounded by the sitcom’s main cast, including James Corden and Ruth Jones, in the Shipmans’ living room after being given a keyboard by his wife Pam (Alison Steadman).
Joanna explains: “Larry had piano lessons but it made no difference because he was absolutely dreadful at playing the keyboard.
“If you look closely at the end, he’s not actually touching the keys - his hands are hovering over them.”
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Mother-of-four Joanna says the big cover up is a reason why her young children prefer the special to the most recent festive episode in 2019.
She says: “They weren’t interested in watching the last Christmas special, the one they keep wanting to watch is the first one, they absolutely love it.
“The kids are like, ‘Can we watch the one where the man isn’t actually playing the keyboard?’ They think it’s hysterical.”
Gavin & Stacey is a big reason why Joanna is so synonymous with Christmas.
But she’s also starred in festive classic romcom Love Actually, BBC drama David Copperfield and also bagged the lead role in Brit movie Nativity 2 alongside David Tennant.
Loyal to mum
And she admits her kids are so loyal to their mum, they’re only interested in watching her film in the festive franchise.
Joanna adds: “I tried to put on Nativity 3 the other day but the kids said, ‘No, no mummy. We have to watch your one because it’s the best.’
“They think David Tennant is the best Doctor Who but I’m their favourite actor in Nativity 2, which is lovely to hear.”
That’s their pocket money going up.
Back on shelf
EMBARRASSING Bodies has been shelved by Channel 4, just one year after its reboot.
The original team, which included DR Christian Jessen, was replaced with new faces for its comeback on E4.
A spokesman said: “There are no immediate plans for Embarrassing Bodies to return.”
Ollie makes vroom for fatherhood
OLLY Murs already turned his back on life as a bachelor after marrying Amelia Tank earlier this year – and soon he will say farewell to any hopes of a good night’s sleep when the couple have their first baby.
And to show he means business, the former The Voice judge is selling the ultimate symbol of his wild, carefree years – his flash motor, which is probably not the obvious choice for a family vehicle.
Olly has put his black Lamborghini on the market for a whopping £179,000 in the hope that it might just sell by the time his fitness model wife gives birth around spring/summer next year.
That also happens to be the same time that he turns 40.
Though I can’t see the Troublemaker singer completely abandoning his rock star ways and opting for a people carrier or a Volvo.
Jamie: I was left hanging
JAMIE Dornan faced a real cliffhanger moment while filming the second series of The Tourist.
The Fifty Shades hunk is back for another rollercoaster ride as Elliot Stanley – and he has revealed some of the savage stunts he faced during filming.
Ahead of the series’ launch on BBC One on New Years Day, Jamie recalled: “I had to hang off a cliff for a long time.
“I was harnessed but you couldn’t really see it and the point of the scene is that I’m hanging there for a comically long period of time.
“So this does mean, to film it, I really was hanging there for a long time, and I have a dodgy shoulder which really paid the price for hanging there for a whole morning.
“I’m an old man and my shoulders don’t work.”
There’s a reason why stuntmen exist, Jamie.
Charlie tucks in to role
BAD Education’s Charlie Wernham can’t take full credit for his character Mitchell.
The actor admits he took inspiration from his own primary school days when playing the Abbey Grove pupil-turned-PE teacher in the comedy series.
Discussing the new series, which returns to BBC Three in early 2024: “Back in my school days, my PE teacher looked like Ross Kemp.
“He always had his tracksuit tucked in his socks – and he stood around with his arms folded all the time.
“Everyone pretended to leave their kit at home, until you had him – because then you knew you’d be doing PE in your pants.
“He wasn’t as fun, but I used his look for Mitchell, that’s why he’s always got his socks tucked in.”
Kelly's inside story
FORMER Stars In Their Eyes host Matthew Kelly will make a telly comeback in dark BBC comedy Inside No.9.
Creators Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton have announced the cast for the final series, after I revealed the beloved show was ending.
Matthew stars alongside the likes of Katherine Kelly, Mark Bonnar, Siobhan Finneran and Eddie Marsan.
Reece and Steve said: “It is with mixed emotions that we announce we have started filming the final series . . .
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“We overheard some crew the other day describe us as ‘a couple of Wonkas’ and that seems an apt description.
“We take the finest ingredients (stellar casts and creatives) and blend them with our secret recipe to produce unique confections that are delicious and often deadly.”