Sheridan Smith is being lined up to return for the final ever episode of Gavin & Stacey.
First airing in 2007, the BBC comedy followed Mathew Horne’s Gavin Shipman and Joanna Page’s Stacey West relationship as their families – from Essex and Barry Island respectively – also got to know each other.
After initially wrapping up in 2010, the show came back in 2019 for a one-off Christmas Special and ended on a dramatic cliffhanger when Ruth Jone’s Nessa got down on one knee to propose to James Corden’s Smithy.
A few weeks ago, it was finally confirmed the sitcom would be returning for a final Christmas special later this year.
It’s now been reported that, 14 years after last appearing in the show, Sheridan, 42, is also set to return.
In the first and second season of the show, the actress played Rudi, Smithy’s little sister.
From 2007 until 2009 she also dated James, 45, however in 2019 Sheridan revealed she hadn’t been invited back for the Christmas Special.
However now sources have said ‘informal discussions with the actress have already taken place despite rumours she would not be involved’.
It is understood the story James and Ruth have written for the episode does include Rudi.
‘The script for Gavin & Stacey: The Finale includes all of the show’s major players – including Smithy’s sister Rudi,’ a source told The Mirror.
‘Nothing has been signed and conversations are still very much ongoing – especially as the filming date has not been set.
‘But all of the stops are being pulled out to make sure the whole cast are there, and in the coming weeks the production team hope to pin down everyone’s availability.’
They added: ‘Sheridan and James are still friendly – they recently bumped into each other at the Variety Club Awards and got on really well. So, the hope is that she will be able to be part of it.’
The source went on to explain that Sheridan didn’t appear in the last Christmas Special because her character ‘was not part of that storyline’, however it was ‘a different story’ this time around.
They said that the final episode would be a ‘phenomenal last hurrah for the series, which is exactly what it deserves’.
When asked about whether she would be appearing in the 2019 Christmas Special ahead of it hitting screens, Sheridan told BBC Radio 2: ‘I wish. No, I’m not going to be in it, I think.’
One of her most memorable moments on the series was when she filmed a rap duet to American Boy with James, who played her brother.
James previously said their break-up left him feeling ‘heartbroken and lost’.
Metro.co.uk has contacted representatives for Sheridan Smith for comment.
Gavin & Stacey returns to the BBC on Christmas Day.
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