Ruth Jones (I)

It's no surprise that Ruth Jones's great warm-hearted series has been re-commissioned for another 10-week run.

Its sense of community is what people are dreaming of in all those Escape To The Country programmes before they realise, too late, that they've swapped city life for a 30-mile round trip to the shops.

Stella may be at the centre of this universe, but we care about the other characters just as much.

Whether it's her brother Dai, who's up in court, lollipop man Alan who is dismayed by Nancy's announcement at dinner to celebrate their one month anniversary, or Stella's daughter Emma who goes into labour in the middle of a GCSE exam.

Stella is about to become a grandmother - and as tonight's penultimate episode begins she's more worried about missing her son Luke, when he goes to work with his dad in Canada.

By the episode's end, though, you realise that it's not just Luke who she doesn't want to leave.

Having created a solid set of characters, Ruth Jones has bravely loaned them to other writers for the odd episode. This week, Ben Edwards and Simon Ludders step in to deliver big developments and fantastic comic set-pieces. Sweet, stupid Karl is on top form painting Emma and Sunny's nursery, while Big Alan's crazed admirer Nancy corners him during a persistently weird meal.

Funniest of all is Dai's court appearance: moving our beloved gang of earthy eccentrics to somewhere august creates hysteria.

Ruth Jones's assured series offers another tip-top episode, in which Emma (Catrin Stewart) sits her final exam and goes into labour. Meanwhile, Stella is still upset about the revelation that her son Luke has decided that he wants to move to Canada with his estranged father Rob.

Ruth Jones's excellent comedy drama heads towards its conclusion, and things aren't looking quite as rosy for Stella (Jones). Tonight the girls enjoy a pampering session at a luxury spa for Emma's hen weekend, while the boys head off on a camping adventure for Sunil's stag do. Meanwhile, Stella is less than thrilled when her estranged husband Rob returns to Pontyberry and bonds with their son Luke.

Single Welsh mother Stella (Ruth Jones) is in high spirits as this fine comedy drama continues. It's son Luke's (Craig Gallivan) 25th birthday and so the family decide to throw a big party. But the birthday boy doesn't know what to do about the return of his estranged father. How will Stella react to the fact her ex is back in town? There's good news for fans, however: the show was recently recommissioned for a second 10-part run to air next year.

Rob Brydon slams Gavin & Stacey musical idea

Comedian Rob Brydon has slated Ruth Jones's idea for a Gavin & Stacey musical.

In the real world, Stella would so be with solid, dependable lollipop man Alan. But this is Ruth Jones's cheery comedy drama so, despite the gritty Welsh setting, she bags hunky Sean (Kenny Doughty), the tousled young man that does... quite a lot. But is he a keeper or just a fly-by-night? And has prospective son-in-law Sunil been playing away?

If you're chilled by the winter evenings, try Ruth Jones's warm Welsh lilt of a show. It'll put a spring in your step to match its heroine. Single mother-of-three Stella is wearing a smile wider than the Rhondda Valley, thanks to a night with her new fella Sean.

It means heartbreak for lollipop man Alan, who's even sporting a toupee in a bid to impress her. Maybe his luck will change with hopeless but hearty life coach Nancy Crock (a lovely turn from Joanna Scanlan). But the thrust of the episode is Stel's suspicion that her son-in-law-to-be, Sunil, is playing away. What will she tell her expectant daughter Emma?

Stella is funny and friendly - who wouldn't want to live in Pontyberry? - with beautifully surreal touches to give it some bite, like the horse who lives in the house opposite. Beaut!

Have you been watching ... Stella?

Ruth Jones writes and stars in this warm and witty Sky1 comedy drama about a Welsh single mum.

Ruth Jones's enjoyably observant comedy about a Welsh single mother finds her character, Stella, in buoyant mood after a night with dishy painter and decorator Sean (Kenny Doughty). "Oh my God, I'm 42 and I'm snogging in the street," she says. Meanwhile, lovestruck, and pregnant, daughter Emma (Catrin Stewart) suspects her boyfriend Sunil (Rory Girvan) is cheating on her when her brother Luke sees him with another girl. And so the ever-protective Stella undertakes a reconnaissance mission to find out exactly what he's up to.