Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
2 appearances
Writer and actor best known for creating and starring in the BAFTA-winning sitcoms Gavin and Stacy and Stella.
On the island
Eight records
The keepsakes
In conversation
Presenter asks
2:03How do your creations like Stella and Nessa take shape? Is it a slow process or a light bulb moment?
I don't think there's a hard and fast rule to it, really. I remembered the one key thing, the starting point for Nessa, was that she would always sing Wild Thing at her friends' weddings, and that was very much based in truth. I have been known to give a little version myself at times.
Presenter asks
9:01Tell me about your mum and dad.
Mum was a doctor, and dad worked at the steelworks. He trained as a solicitor. I guess a very traditional South Wales non-Welsh-speaking Welsh family. You know, went to the local primary school and the local comprehensive and four kids. And my mum was working full-time as well as a doctor. We kind of muddled along really.
Presenter asks
9:31Would we recognize any of your family members' character traits in your work?
If I said yes, they would all kill me. No, I've certainly lifted lines from relatives. I've shamelessly stolen those. And what I love about being Welsh is that we're very melodramatic. So my character in Stella Auntie Brenda, played by the brilliant Dibaucher, she epitomised that type of Welsh woman who could never say yes or no. She always said yes or no. Yes.
The book
Leslie Halliwell
I thought, well, if this book contains all of the storylines of all the films ever made, that will keep me going.
The luxury
I'm a massive fan of the Archers. I can't imagine life without the Archers. So please can I take all of the episodes that have ever been recorded up until when I landed on the island.
Presenter asks
11:47Why was Warwick the place for you?
Well, it wasn't so much that I chose Warwick, but Warwick chose me in that it was the only university that offered me a place. … And I had one interview at Manchester, which didn't go well at all, … They were asking me various questions, and my mind just went blank. And I think the interviewer felt sorry for me and just said, Tell us what you're reading at the moment. What's your bedtime reading at the moment? And I went, Jackie Collins Hollywood Wives. … And I just went, I'm going to Warwick, I'm going to Warwick, and I was so happy.
Presenter asks
22:30How important has your Welsh identity been to your work and what do you draw from it?
You know, I was brought up in South Wales and people are brilliant. You meet such brilliant people who don't know that they're funny, who just don't know that what they're saying is hilarious and I love celebrating that really. A hugely proud Welsh person. I will sing. Call on Lan and Ebob being Seath Featherlon at the drop of a hat, probably with my friends when we've had too many drinks, but And we'll try and harmonize. I just love it. It's something very special being Welsh.
Presenter asks
26:03How do you think you'll be with the solitude that you'll encounter on the desert island?
I will miss everybody. That goes without saying. I won't be able to cope without David, really. I'll miss him so much. But. That said, that's what I'm signing up for. So essentially, I quite like my own company. I I can manage on my own.
“I'll never forget being in that room where the moment came where Tom Jones had to sort of walk through the crowds and part the crowds as he entered. And Rob and I just looked at each other and sort of filled up because we were like, We went to Pothcall Comp. And look at us now. We're standing here, we're singing with Tom Jones.”
“It was a bit of a year, actually, a bit of a sad year.”
“I just thought I'm really, really blessed. I'm really blessed.”
“I'm going to go for Santana's Smooth because I'm also going to try and fashion a guitar and I'm going to teach myself that amazing guitar solo so that when I do get rescued I can perform it for my brother Mark who's a brilliant guitarist and I can show off to him.”