Ruth Jones (I)

You can't blame BBC3 for constantly repeating its best-ever programme. Here's yet another chance to laugh along with a long-distance relationship conducted in Billericay (his home) and Barry Island (hers), complicated by the young lovers' ditsiness and their weird families and friends. The starry supporting cast (Alison Steadman, Rob Brydon, plus writers Ruth Jones and James Corden) provide the vulgar belly laughs, all as larger-than-life loons who never quite tip over into caricature, thanks to the earthy, affectionate script.

Ruth Jones: Gavin & Stacey interview

The shy star of 'Gavin and Stacey' talks about her latest role, writing with James Corden and the pleasures of 'nice-com'.

Guest Host interview: Ruth Jones

Ruth Jones - actress, writer and co-creator of Gavin and Stacey - hosts Have I Got News For You for the first time tonight. She's met Barack Obama!

Gavin & Stacey Cut Short

The new series of Gavin & Stacey has been cut from seven to six episodes. James Corden and Ruth Jones - who write the comedy hit and star as Smithy and Nessa - are too busy to make the full run.

Gavin and Stacey star 'pressure'

Ruth Jones, the co-writer of the acclaimed comedy Gavin and Stacey, says the "pressure is on" as she starts work on the third series.

Gavin and Stacey ready to return

Gavin and Stacey co-writers James Corden and Ruth Jones have announced there will be a third series of the hit comedy show. They made the announcement live on stage in Barry Island, where Jones was hosting an open-air edition of her BBC Radio Wales show.

Named 3rd best show of 2008: The sitcom about two ordinary households has made its creators household names. Last year, James Corden and Ruth Jones wrote and starred in a little-watched BBC3 series documenting the ups and downs of a young couple and their families. This year, it won them two Baftas. And rightly so, for its wit, perceptiveness and warmth. The second series, shown in spring, was just as funny but even more moving.

Gavin & Stacey's Family Reunion

Ruth Jones and James Corden, creators of 2008's surprise Bafta-winner, tell The Telegraph why good-natured comedy is back.

There's still no official word on whether Ruth Jones and James Corden will be able to find time in their fantastically busy schedules to write series three.

But series two of the nation's favourite comedy - previously seen on BBC3 - finally arrives on BBC1 just as the DVD goes on general release.

So can there possibly be anyone left out there who doesn't yet know 'What's occurrin'?'. Even if you've seen it before, the feel-good warmth of Jones and Corden's writing doesn't dim.

Ahead of the much-anticipated Christmas special, the big success story of BBC3's comedy output is promoted to the heady heights of BBC1 for a welcome repeat of the just-as-good-as-the-first second series. The more people that see this show the better, as it's absolutely stonking, with Ruth Jones and James Corden's scripts hitting the right note between sweet and subversive. If there's one criticism, Gavin and Stacey themselves take a back seat for much of the series, but blame the writers for creating such a lovable and well-drawn group of characters. Brilliant.