Telly lovers all over the UK were absolutely buzzing to hear that beloved British series, Gavin and Stacey, might be coming back for a reunion at the end of the year but, as it turns out, co-writer Ruth Jones has already rushed the supposed plans.
Barely even a full day after there was talk of the cast getting back together for another Christmas special, which themselves have gone on to become a bit of a TV institution in their own right, the Welsh screenwriter and actor has now played down the potential festive comeback.
As per an interview on Irish station RTÉ Radio 1, Jones simply responded to the chatter by insisting it is “sadly a rumour”, going on to question where the story came from in the first place.
Speaking live on air, she said: “Apparently there’s a bidding war going on between the BBC and Netflix and I love it because it says ‘a source says’ — who is this source?”
❌ No return planned for Gavin and Stacey
Ruth Jones joined @olivercallan this morning to chat about her role in Sister Act in the Bord Gáis.
The 57-year-old comedian best known for playing Nessa on the iconic show went on to assure, “All I can say is, if there was something to say on that front, James [Corden] and I would happily announce it, we would.”
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Many fans might have been hoping that Corden’s recent departure as host of The Late Show over in the US might give some credence to the speculation but, unfortunately, it seems there is nothing concrete regarding a Gavin and Stacey reunion any time soon.
While she did admit, “James and I talk about [the show] a lot, it’s a huge part of our lives”, adding, “It’s lovely that people love it” and that they are still very grateful for the role it played in their careers, she didn’t want anyone to get carried away and start thinking they were writing another series.
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Some fans were already expecting to be let down by the rumblings.
Trying not to get my hopes up for this Gavin & Stacey special this year because we’ve had our dreams crushed countless times before… pic.twitter.com/MMrKmcygRa
Wayne Rooney joins the cast of Gary Neville’s The Overlap
Danny Jones
Wayne Rooney has secured a new job just a few months on from departing as Birmingham City head coach, with the Manchester United and England legend being named as the latest member of The Overlap team.
Set to join the cast of the popular Stick to Football online series alongside the likes of former teammates Gary Neville and Roy Keane, as well as the rest of the recurring panel.
Rooney is also set to feature on various other shows across The Overlap channel, including the likes of their regular fan debates and other interviews with athletes and well-known figures.
They announced the signing in true transfer window fashion as well.
As transfer expert Fabrizio Romano quips in the video, Rooney “has signed an agreement with The Overlap” and is expected to make his debut very soon
‘Wazza’ has appeared as a pundit on Sky Sports in recent weeks and has even been spotted playing some FIFA with comedy YouTuber AngryGinge as part of his pro clubs series, but hasn’t been in a steady role since being sacked as the Birmingham manager at the start of the year.
Having already appeared as a guest in one of the most popular episodes of Stick to Football and clearly sharing a strong chemistry with his old friends – as well as the likes of fellow Scouser Jamie Carragher, Jill Scott and Ian Wright – it looks to be a natural fit for the sport-based channel.
The 38-year-old revealed some pretty interesting details about his playing and managerial career last time around, not to mention some of the other offers he’s had since…
Rooney reiterated during his own interview that his primary focus is still on coaching and finding his next managerial role, but for the time being, he’ll be bringing the insight of another ex-pro to the popular YouTube channel.
Speaking on his latest move, the former striker said, “I’m excited to announce that I will be joining my good mate Gary Neville and the team at The Overlap to appear on the channel across some of their brilliant shows on YouTube and the podcast. I can’t wait to get started”.
With an episode from at least one of their series going out most weeks, you can expect to see the footballing legend back on the channel soon.
Featured Images — The Overlap/Wayne Rooney (via Instagram)
TV & Showbiz
Paddy McGuinness announces work-in-progress shows ahead of first stand-up tour in eight years
Danny Jones
Beloved British comic Paddy McGuinness is heading back out on his first live stand-up tour in eight years this year and has announced a new run of work-in-progress shows in preparation, including one right here in Greater Manchester.
McGuinness hasn’t been out on the live comedy circuit for the best part of a decade but announced his long-awaited return late last year, with the 50-year-old heading out on the road this October.
However, as he looks to get stage sharp shape ahead of his ‘Nearly There’ tour, Paddy has picked a pair of local North West venues for the WIP sets, with a trio of shows at The Met in Bury, as well as half a dozen over in Darwen, Lancashire.
Just like the tour itself, these are sure to go quickly.
The Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy star is playing nearly half a century of shows across the UK and Ireland from this fall onwards before closing out his tour in Dublin by April 2025.
His last tour, ‘Daddy McGuinness’ ran from 2015-16 and got pretty decent reviews across the board, with the focus largely revolving around his journey into parenthood, but his latest material is set to be quite the shift in tone.
Speaking ahead of the tour, the former Take Me Out and Top Gear host said: “It’s been eight years since my last tour and there’s lots of things to laugh about! I’m looking forward to getting back in front of a live audience, along with running the gauntlet of cancel culture, clickbait and fake news!”
Paddy also made a bit of a stir around these parts recently after he declared Bolton as still being part of Lancashire. No likey, no lighty on that one – sorry Paddy.
But never mind all that, we’re glad to see him getting back to his roots. The Farnworth-born funny man was also recently given a permanent role on BBC Radio 2 after becoming a firm favourite amongst the listenership. He will now run the 11am-1pm slot on Sundays.
As for his tour, after his warm-up shows in Bury and Darwen, the household name will be heading to The Lowry in Salford in March next year, with other nearby shows in the likes of Blackburn and Blackpool.
Tickets for Paddy McGuinness’ work-in-progress dates go on sale Friday, 3 May at 10am.
Danny Jones -
14th February 2024 
