James Corden, the co-creator and star of the beloved sitcom Gavin & Stacey, has publicly criticised the second episode of the show's first series, describing it as 'awful' and 'very, very, very bad'. Speaking at the BBC Comedy Festival, Corden explained that the episode's problems stemmed from the writers feeling they had 'backed ourselves into a corner' following the highly romantic ending of the series premiere, which featured Gavin's heartfelt confession of love to Stacey.
The criticised instalment, which included a phone mix-up and a second marriage proposal, was seen by Corden as an attempt to force comedic elements rather than allowing the characters to naturally drive the narrative. He elaborated that he and co-creator Ruth Jones were still experimenting with the show's tone at the time, not yet fully realising that Gavin & Stacey was 'not a sitcom but closer to a comedy drama'.
Background on the show
Gavin & Stacey originally ran from 2007 to 2010, garnering a devoted fanbase. Additional Christmas specials aired in 2019 and 2024, with the latter becoming the UK's most-watched scripted show since records began in 2002. Corden's candid remarks shed light on the creative challenges faced early in the series' development.
