Ruth Jones wins Bafta Award and teases new project with Gavin and Stacey co-star James Corden
Gavin and Stacey: The Finale was the most watched comedy of the year, with more than 20million people tuning in to see what had become of the beloved characters from the Welsh fishing village of Barry22:48, 11 May 2025Ruth picked up her award for her role as NessRuth Jones was buzzing as she scooped up a TV Bafta for her iconic portrayal of no-nonsense Nessa in the hit show Gavin and Stacey: The Finale.Despite the series raking in over 20 million viewers, it had been overlooked in the main comedy category and also missed out in the Memorable Moment category.Yet, as Ruth took to the stage clutching her award, she cheekily channelled Nessa, exclaiming: “I’m not gonna lie, this is immense. I didn’t expect to win this. I’ve won a Bafta before, of course I have, in 1976.”She gave a heartfelt speech: “I’ve had a 17-year journey with this character, which is quite a rare thing, I guess, and to have worked with the people I’ve worked with on the show over this period of time — the cast, the crew, the production team — everybody’s just been such a joy to work with.”Corden and Jones hope to be working together again soonShe continued: “But I think it’s just been a really lovely rounding up of this astonishing nearly 20 years and working with James. I love working with James Corden, I really do. And I hope that we will carry on working together. I think we will. We will, because we just both like sitting in a room together. We do a lot of napping, but we do write as well when we get going. And, yeah, I just love, love working with him.”Article continues belowDanny Dyer was just as emotional landing best comedy male for his role in Sky’s Mr Bigstuff. Nearly in tears, he dedicated his accolade to scribe Ryan Sampson, blurting out: “You won this for me mate.”Not one to shy from being unfiltered, Danny sent a message to his daughters Dani and Sunnie while on stage – brazenly breaking the language protocol: “Girls, I done it. I f***ing done it.”While BBC’s masterpiece Mr Loverman celebrated big wins for leading lights Lennie James and Ariyon Bakare, and ITV snagged a double triumph with Mr Bates Vs The Post Office winning limited drama series and receiving a special nod, many left the ceremony with nowt to show for it.The cast of Gavin and Stacey reunited tonightApple+’s Slow Horses didn’t manage to snag an award despite being up for three, and Disney+’s Rivals was in the same boat with its trio of nods.BBC1’s The Traitors also came away empty-handed, failing to secure a win in two categories, and even Claudia Winkleman missed out on the entertainment performance award, which went to Joe Lycett instead.However, Netflix’s drama Baby Reindeer struck gold with Jessica Gunning bagging the best supporting actress award for her portrayal of stalker Martha. In her acceptance speech, she gave a shout-out to Richard Gadd, the brains behind the gritty autobiographical series, saying: “Richard, you’ve changed my life with Baby Reindeer, happy birthday little Nipple.”Over in the reality TV realm, Channel 4’s The Jury: Murder Trial took home the top prize. The show, which dramatised an actual court case, had producer Ed Kellie declaring: “This proves that reality TV can actually be about something.”And when it came to limited drama, Mr Bates’ producer Patrick Spences was on hand to collect the accolade, expressing: “We’d like to put on record that being trusted by the sub-postmasters to tell their story has been the greatest privilege of our lives.”Receiving the award for greenlighting the series, ITV’s managing director Kevin Lygo slammed the fact that numerous individuals among the 555 who were sacked and suffered for years are still hanging on for justice. Expressing urgency, he implored: “They still have not got their compensation so I say to whoever is in charge of that, will you hurry up and pay these people what they are due.”Lennie James could hardly hold back his emotions as he nabbed the leading actor Bafta, pouring out thanks to his on-screen partner-in-crime Ariyon Bakare, who scooped up best supporting actor, calling him his “TV lover”.EastEnders, too, had reasons to pop open the bubbly, as boss Chris Clenshaw was stoked for the soap’s win during its ruby jubilee, jesting that the cast and crew would be partying at the Queen Vic in true East End style.Article continues belowThe top drama accolade was snagged by BBC1’s police series Blue Lights, based in Northern Ireland. Upon receiving the award, the producer expressed gratitude: “Thank you to the people of our home city for letting us tell your stories. Belfast, this one’s for you.” More
