GAVIN and Stacey’s Pam and Mick Shipman have finally visited Essex for the first time.
Despite the series being set across South Wales and Essex, Alison Steadman and Larry Lamb have revealed their Billericay scenes were all TV fakery.
The on-screen couple were often seen in their ‘Essex’ home on the BBC show, which ran from 2007 until 2019.
But it’s now been revealed that the pair never visited Billericay, where their characters Pam and Mick were supposed to be from, while filming.
Larry told the Radio Times: “Gavin & Stacey was all filmed in Wales, nobody offered us the opportunity to go to Essex.
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“They said, ‘Billericay’s where you’re from’, so we just got on with it, we just do what we’re told.”
The pair will visit the town as part of their new show, Alison & Larry: Billericay to Barry, and plant a tree to honour their trip.
Larry added: “When we got there on this trip we received a lovely welcome.
"The town councillors turned out and the mayor was there.”
While Alison said: “We planted a tree! It survives, hopefully.”
Alison and Larry’s travelogue will follow them on the long drive, with interesting stops between the two towns, in a 200mile journey across three episodes.
Larry explained: “It felt like unfinished business, particularly going to Billericay.
“In Gavin & Stacey, Barry got lots of attention, and Billericay was the poor relation.
“Both have become such famous places.
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"I thought it was a great idea, and I couldn’t think of anybody other than Alison I’d like to do the trip with… well, probably one or two!”
It marks the first time the pair have been on-screen together since the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special in 2019.
And after their reunion, Larry is keen to see another series of Gavin & Stacey come to fruition.
He concluded: “It’s like getting the family together again, so absolutely yes to another one.
But a one-hour special, which is three weeks of really intense work, that will do me.”
Alison & Larry: Billericay to Barry starts on August 14 on Gold at 8pm.
BASKETBALL player Andrea Constand will tell of her fight to bring Bill Cosby to justice for sexual assault.
She said The Case Against Cosby had “depth and authenticity . . . which is important when you’re talking about sexual trauma and the damage that goes with it.”
It airs on ITVX on Thursday.
ROMAN’S ON SONG AT CHOIR
I CAN reveal that ITV has booked ROMAN KEMP for a second stint at the helm of celebrity choir contest Britain Get Singing.
It comes hot on the heels of Capital FM DJ Roman launching his BBC daytime quiz show The Finish Line.
Last year Britain Get Singing saw stars from Love Island, Emmerdale and Loose Women go head-to-head to raise awareness of mental wellbeing.
A source said: “Britain Get Singing is now being looked at as a jewel in ITV’s Christmas schedule.
"Roman was thrilled to be back as host.
“He has talked openly about health struggles so is over the moon to support such a worthy cause through his work.”
Let’s hope crooner parents Martin and Shirlie Kemp can help on vocals this year.
IS SAM TOP OF THE POTS?
MODEL-turned-singer Sam Fox has revealed how competing on Celebrity MasterChef was as nerve-wracking as her Top Of The Pops debut.
She is due to take on drag artist Cheryl Hole, singer Jamelia, musician Locksmith and broadcaster Wynne Evans in the penultimate heats later this week.
Sam said: “I had palpitations. I couldn’t believe I was on MasterChef, my favourite cooking show.
“I’ve watched it for years and I can’t believe I get to be on it.”
Sam, who sang her first top ten hit Touch Me (I Want To Feel Your Body) on the BBC’s chart show in 1986, added: “It’s a bit like the first time I went on Top Of The Pops – that feeling that I’m doing a show I love.
“I really want to learn more culinary skills and become a better cook.
"I’ve only properly cooked for my partner and now I’ve got my own family I’m always thinking of trying out new things and teaching my son to cook.
“I want to learn more dishes, more flavours and what a way to learn! I’m in awe of (show hosts) John Torode and Gregg Wallace.”
Celebrity Masterchef continues tomorrow at 9pm on BBC One.
MORAN IN DYER NEED. . .
WRITER CAROLINE MORAN has revealed she created new BBC comedy Henpocalypse! with Danny Dyer in mind – and pleaded with him to take part in it.
She said: “The whole time I was writing the script, I knew it had to be him.
“I didn’t know him, I just wrote him an email sort of begging, basically going, ‘I think you’re amazing, what do you say?’.
“He totally got it. He got on board. It was just magic.”
Danny plays a Danny plays a “fictionalised and heightened version of himself” in the six-parter, which follows a bridal bash derailed by the end of the world.
The women, played by Elizabeth Berrington, Callie Cooke, Kate O’Flynn, Lauren O’Rourke and Lucie Shorthouse are forced to face the apocalypse – which turns men into zombies – with just their hen-do paraphernalia.
Caroline adds: “Quite often, a hen-do sees you in some sweaty bar wearing a non-breathable revealing outfit and you are wishing for the world to end so that the hen would end.
“There’s kind of this female version of Lord Of The Flies that can sometimes get enacted.
“I was playing around with that idea of, ‘what if you were on a hen do that never ended?’ ”
Henpocalypse! starts next Tuesday at 10pm on BBC Two.
AINSLEY’S TABLE MANORS
AINSLEY HARRIOTT will serve up a feast for all the senses with his new ITV show.
The loved telly chef will tour Britain’s stately homes, conjuring up mouth-watering dishes from their kitchen gardens in Ainsley’s National Trust Cook Off.
He’ll have help from other well-known chefs.
At each estate, volunteers and gardeners will test out his dishes.
The ten-part series will begin filming at Blickling Estate in Aylsham, Norfolk, next Monday.
Ainsley said: “The gorgeous scenery, the very freshest ingredients and some fantastic new recipes will be coming together to show off our countryside at its beautiful best.”
If only we had smell-evision.
