When Gavin Met Stacey and Everything in Between: A Story of Love and Friendship

by Ruth Jones, James Corden

For the first time, go behind the scenes of the beloved TV show Gavin and Stacey with this must-read memoir from the BAFTA award-winning writers Ruth Jones and James Corden.

When Gavin Met Stacey and Everything in Between is the story of how Ruth and James turned their little show about ordinary life into a full-on cultural phenomenon.

As they recount the highs and lows they faced along the way, Ruth and James explore the journey of their real-life friendship, the making of the show and the relationship between Nessa and Smithy that had the nation glued to their screens.

Full of revelations and anecdotes to working scripts and never-before-seen photographs including:

The story behind Nessa’s iconic look
The original treatment for the show
And maybe pictures from that fishing trip…

This one-of-a kind memoir takes you behind the scenes of one of the most iconic and beloved shows in British television history. Here are the details of what’s occurred every step of the way, from initial pitch to final day of filming, and all the love that followed.

When Gavin Met Stacey and Everything in Between is the perfect final chapter in this incredible story. Essential reading for all Gavin and Stacey fans.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Memoir, Biography, Humor, Autobiography, Tv

336 pages, Hardcover

First published October 9, 2025

About the author

Jones is a Welsh television actress and writer known for her work on shows such as Gavin & Stacey and Stella.

Note: There are multiple writers with this name.

Reviews

[Lauren Elkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

When all said and done, cracking it was. Absolutely lush.

[Em ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me immediately want to binge the show for the 1 millionth time! 🥹❤️

[The_5ft_reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a fun, heartwarming read... its just like 2 besties having a chat and its lush!

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could have listened to these 2 talk forever about Gavin and Stacey.

loved this ❤️

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my favourite audiobook I’ve ever listened to! It’s funny, interesting, heartwarming, and although it’s ‘behind the scenes’ stories on the creation and making of Gavin and Stacey, it’s really a love letter between James and Ruth and their friendship. Their love for each is paramount, and I know (especially here in the UK) James Corden gets a lot of stick, but he comes across really well in this, and he and Ruth have created something amazing with the show. I loved it when Ruth kept slipping into Nessa’s voice, the clips from the show of Uncle Bryn, and all the insights into how G&S came to be. I have the book too so it was great to follow along with the images, transcripts, and notes that they have also included in that. Really loved this and definitely recommend if you’re a Gavin and Stacey fan. Tidy!

[Indieflower · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I not bein' funny.... don't get me wrong....but to be honest, at the end of the day....if truth be told, no word of a lie....d'you know what I mean?"

Told by Ruth Jones and James Corden, a lush inside look at the origins, creation, and writing of Gavin and Stacey, hands down my favourite show,
5 stars.
Tidy.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aww wow this book is such a treat for any Gavin And Stacey fan! The whole book was just one big funny, emotional story between James and Ruth about the creation of there fabulous hit show and there long standing lovely friendship, you could really feel the love these two feel for each other, I can’t wait for what ever they decide to write next!

[Emily Whyte · Rating 5 out of 5]

The love I have for Gavin and Stacey is so deep rooted I can hardly put it into words!! It is my ultimate comfort show and has been for as long as I can remember. Gobbled this up in two sittings & will now rewatch every episode from series 1 to 3 the two Christmas specials and the finale for the 1000th time x

[Beks Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Gavin and Stacey, with all my heart, so listening to an audiobook from Ruth Jones and James Corden talking about its creation, and getting another glimpse into that world was nothing short of joyful for me.

It was interesting to get some behind the scenes knowledge about the process of creating a show, and following the rise of its success - through to the 2024 finale. But really, I just loved that it felt like getting an insight into a conversation between friends and co-creators who have a lot of love for each other, and for the show they created.

It was a cosy and heartwarming audiobook, that made me immediately want to start rewatching Gavin and Stacey for the hundredth time.

[Clara MacDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tidy.

[Chelsea Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me very emosh listening to this!

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

found this book interesting as the back story to the series having not really watched it

[Amanda B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this is much. If you are a Gavin and Stacey fan, try to listen to the audio book as well, which pretty much sounds like Ruth and James just chatting! The love they have for their friendship and this series shines through. A joy!

[Abigail Keaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
Being dramatic but Gavin & Stacey is one of the greatest tv series of all time and this did not do it justice nor necessarily give me all the backstory I hoped it would (eg needed more about people other than Ruth and James - also felt like Ruth came off poorly). Kind of felt like a hastily written cash grab released in time for Christmas and essentially a glorified podcast transcript. But now reading other reviews I'm realizing I should have listened to the audiobook and it would've been a way better, far more fulfilling experience. I think the documentary they mention in the book will be better too. Still love Gavin & Stacey.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Ruth and James as much as I love gavin and Stacey. I was excited for this book which I have enjoyed although I was a little disappointed there was nothing new . No new information that I didn’t already know

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolute joy 🥹

[Amelia Seddon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good listen on audiobook wow 🤩

[Alice King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection!!

[Beth Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

i laughed, i cried, i couldn’t have enjoyed this more. the audiobook was really well done. it is hard not to like james corden when you see him through ruth jones’ eyes. gavin and stacey forever

[Rachael Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this audiobook and now want to watch Gavin and Stacey all over again!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be listened to and not read. I know I would have read it with their voices in my head but it wouldn’t have been the same. It was such a joy to listen to James and Ruth telling us all about the how and why and where and when of Gavin and Stacey and I loved every minute of listening to this. Highly recommend!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a written down behind the scenes going into great detail of Gavin and Stacey and much more of this special friendship.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I desperately hope they continue to make things together. I have a deep love for Gavin and Stacey and this was such a lovely look behind the scenes of their friendship. I’m probably going to just go watch it again now lol

[Kieran Cleaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mean one chapter made me sob so much when crying.

I think Ruth and James have forgotten that it’s Gavin and Stacey and not Smithy and Nessa as they speak about the show a lot like it’s all about them from the start

Should you read or listen to this? Both. The book has unseen scripts and photos but the audiobook has extra content

[Ashleigh Kirkwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this so much 🥺 I genuinely couldn’t put this book down and read it within one day, I now need to rewatch Gavin & Stacey for the millionth time 🩷

[Tom Cullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed how the audiobook was more like a podcast than a book. However, they do speak to each other like the cringy loved up couple in the back of your year 8 Spanish class.

[KBookblogger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this book was everything I wanted it to be and more. It was just perfection and my first five-star read of 2026.

I only discovered this show (Gavin & Stacey) a couple of years ago, and it was only when I sat down and watched it properly from Season 1 that I really got to know the characters and absolutely fell in love with it. For those of you who haven’t seen it before, it’s a story about normal people living their normal everyday lives, but one family (Stacey’s) is from Wales and they are a truly comical lot, whilst Gavin’s side comes from Essex. Though we see their relationship evolve over time, let’s be honest — it’s Smithy and Nessa’s (or should I say Vanessa Shanessa’s) relationship that we are truly invested in. I didn’t realise it at the time, but looking back, their relationship was like Ross and Rachel all over again.

The book goes into how the series came about, their relationship, the writing process, etc. The affection and love that Corden and Jones have for each other in real life is obvious — this book had me feeling emotional but also laughing out loud because they are naturally funny people.

You must watch the series first if you haven’t already, as the book does contain spoilers. Having said that, I’m still none the wiser about “the fishing trip”… if anyone knows anything else about that, do send me a DM on Instagram!!

[Catherine Steur · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Audio book) After seeing a review on here of someone listening to the audio book version I thought I’d give it a go on my journeys and walks over the past week for a change. I’ve always loved Gavin & Stacey but hearing how it began was lovely and given me even more love for the show. Ruth and James are truly best friends and you can tell, the whole book just sounds like friends having a chat and a laugh. Thoroughly enjoyed and hope I can get into some more audio books soon.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a huge Gavin & Stacey fan. I’ve actually lost count of how many times I’ve watched it, so reading this book was an added bonus for me.

Who knew that a story of a Welsh girl (Stacey) falling in love with an Essex boy (Gavin) would take off on tv the way that it did. Gavin & Stacey has a phenomenal following and this book covers how the idea was born until the end of the series with the 2024 Finale.

I was fortunate enough to see An Evening with Ruth Jones and James Corden last month and the evening was almost a reiteration of the book. It was almost like sitting on the couch with them both and chatting about the show. So I’m glad that I read the book afterwards. What did shine through in both the live event and the book was the love that Ruth and James have for each other. They are a fantastic writing team and I’m looking forward to hearing more about the new project that they are writing together.

[Emma Usher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I've loved Gavin and Stacey since it first aired all those years ago. I truly loved this book, it gave such an insight into how the show came to be, and also it was a lovely story of Ruth and James' friendship. Great behind the scenes stories, background bits too, it is a must for anyone who is a Gavin and Stacey fan.

Truth be told, it's tidy.