Gavin and Stacey Christmas special: Sheridan Smith reveals she won't return for one-off special

Sheridan Smith will not reprise her role for the show's return

Sheridan Smith has confirmed that she will not reprise her role of Ruth “Rudi” Smith in the upcoming Gavin & Stacey Christmas special.

During an interview on the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2, she confirmed that there were no plans for her to appear in the hotly-anticipated one-off episode.

The Bafta-winning actress was asked whether she was able to reveal any new information about the show’s return at the end of the year, to which she said: “I wish. No, I’m not going to be in it, I think.”

Her beloved character was known for her tumultuous relationship with her brother Smithy (James Corden), as well as their amusing impromptu raps.

Corden spoke to The Times about the decision to bring Gavin and Stacey back, insisting that himself and co-writer Ruth Jones had feared that there was no reason to bring back the show, but somewhere along the line they had a change of heart.

“Life’s too short,” he said. “Fear is the absolute reason to do it. This sounds ridiculously deep, but none of us are promised tomorrow. We’re here for a minute, so you have to try to do it all. I’d rather regret something than not do it.”

He also spoke about whether Brexit would be referenced on the show, saying: “We did talk about it. But we just want the new show to be a nostalgic joy-bomb.” But he did divulge that Smithy and Stacey would have voted for leave, while Gavin and Nessa would have voted remain.

Gavin & Stacey follows Gavin (Matthew Horne), from Essex in England, and Stacey (Joanna Page), from Barry in Wales, who fall in love after speaking on the phone every day at work and decide to get married.

The Christmas special will air on Christmas Day on BBC One.