Gavin and Stacey theme tune writer reveals he didn't initially want it on the show
The series first aired in 2007
Last updated 19th Jul 2021
TV fans will instantly recognise the theme tune to Gavin and Stacey which has become synonymous with the hit sitcom since it first aired in 2007.
More than a decade, three series and a couple of Christmas specials later, the song’s writer Stephen Fretwell has admitted that he didn’t initially want his song ‘Run’ to be the theme tune.
Singer-songwriter Stephen revealed that he was reluctant to give the producers permission to use the track and even turned down a request from a publisher friend called Joe.
Stephen told the BBC: “I was like, ‘No, no, I don’t wanna do that’ and then we talked about something else.
“Then about two months later it came out and it had the song on it. I saw Joe a few nights later and I said to him, ‘Hey that song is on that show’ and he said, ‘Yeah, it’s great isn’t it?’
“I was like, ‘I told you not to put that on that show’. And he was like, ‘No, you said you wanted it on’, and he was smirking at me.”
Stephen continued: “It’s the best thing anyone’s ever done for me.”
Created by James Corden and Ruth Jones, Gavin and Stacey went on to become one of the best-loved British TV sitcoms ever, winning numerous awards including two BAFTAs and National Television Awards.
The show’s 2019 Christmas special saw the return of the Shipman and West families to our screens after almost 10 years. The episode, broadcast in the UK, attracted over 18 million viewers and became the most-watched comedy in 17 years.
Stephen revealed that although he didn’t initially watch the show, he was now “incredibly proud to be associated” with Gavin and Stacey.
The singer added that he also enjoyed the royalties from the show, which is regualry repeated on TV and has been featured on streaming sites like Netflix.
He added: “It equates to like the money for a part-time job, or it did.
“I used to think they were like cheques from God, four times a year, a couple of thousand quid.”
Check out what the stars of Gavin and Stacey are up to now:
James Corden as Neil 'Smithy' Smith: Then
James was already a household name by the time he appeared on our screens as Smithy. Having worked with Ruth Jones on Fat Friends from 2000 to 2005, the pair got their heads together to create the show. James had additionally originated the role of Timms in the original London production of The History Boys in 2004, and also appeared in 2006 film Starter For 10 alongside James McAvoy.
James Corden: Now
As if he wasn't already on a pretty upward trajectory to the spotlight before Gavin & Stacey, his role as Smithy truly catapulted him to fame. Having starred in a number of high profile films like Into the Woods, Trolls and Cats, James hosted his own late night talk show in the US, The Late Late Show with James Corden, from 2015 to 2023.
Ruth Jones as Vanessa 'Nessa' Jenkins: Then
Like James, Ruth was a well-known face on British telly by the time Gav and Stace rolled around - having appeared alongside him on Fat Friends plus her time on Little Britain, Steve Coogan's Saxondale and Nighty Night opposite her future Gavin and Stacey co-star, Julia Davis.
Ruth Jones: Now
Post-Barry life was pretty major for Ruth - landing her own seasonal chat show and appearing in plenty of drama series including Torchwood, Marple and Hattie. She also co-created Stella, additionally starring as the titular character which ran for six series. Ruth was appointed an MBE in 2014 for services to entertainment, and even launched a successful career as an author - penning three fiction novels: Never Greener, Us Three and Love Untold.
Joanna Page as Stacey Shipman (née West): Then
Joanna had already featured in a major TV drama AND an iconic movie by the time she took on the role of Barry's princess, Stacey - namely the BBC adaptation of David Copperfield which launched the career of Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, as well as Christmas staple, Love Actually. Remember? She's the, er, stunt double who falls for her co-star, played by Martin Freeman.
Joanna Page: Now
As well as appearances on a fair few panel shows as herself, Joanna also gave a pretty memorable performance as Queen Elizabeth I in Doctor Who's 50th anniversary episode, plus a few other small roles on various TV shows. She notably took on the character of Pig on the second series of The Masked Dancer, but was the second famous face to be booted off the series. She joined the Loose Women panel as a regular in 2023, and also starred in TV film Men Up which followed the story of a real-life clinical trial for Viagra in the 90s.
Mathew Horne as Gavin Shipman: Then
Mathew started his career as a comedian, performing as a comedy duo under Mat and Mackinnon with a friend from university. The pair took to the stage at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe, where Catherine Tate was in the crowd and offered him a spot on her show, The Catherine Tate Show. Playing the role of Jamie, he's returned to the character a few times over the years - most recently in the 2022 film The Nan Movie. He also starred in British TV series Teachers and an episode of Doc Martin, before hitting it big as the loveable Gavin Shipman.
Mathew Horne: Now
Mathew understandably shot to fame after the first series of Gav and Stace, most notably as a sort of double act with James Corden. The pair hosted a fair few TV shows - including the actual BRIT Awards, co-hosting with Kylie Minogue (!) - as well as their own sketch show, and not-hugely-successful film Lesbian Vampire Killers. He also starred as eccentric headteacher Shaquille Fraser in Bad Education and had various roles on Drunk History.
Alison Steadman as Pam Shipman: Then
Alison was already a hugely established actress by the time she appeared in Gavin and Stacey! Having started out her career in theatre performances, she later had roles in loads of films including Shirley Valentine and was a well known TV star too - having been in The Singing Detective, Kavanagh QC plus her memorable turn as Mrs. Bennett in the 1997 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Of course, she also appeared in Fat Friends alongside her Gav and Stace co-stars Ruth Jones and James Corden - and was even awarded an OBE in 2000.
Alison Steadman: Now
Alison has continued to become a national treasure, starring in the likes of The Syndicate, Lewis, Love and Marriage, Midsomer Murders, Care, Life and Here We Go on telly, plus big screen turns in Dad's Army, The King's Man and the upcoming Robbie Williams biopic, Better Man.
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