Hello 2025! Let’s start the year off with the very cream of the crop of British TV. Gavin & Stacey is comedy gold at its purest. I adore this sublime piece of television and go back to it whenever I need a boost. In that spirit – and in honour of the series finale having aired on Christmas Day last year – I’ve put together a list of the best Gavin & Stacey quotes from throughout the series.

Read on for mood boosting joy and a free printable set of quote cards that I created! They would make a perfect addition to any Gavin & Stacey themed get together. I’m thinking cupcake cards, game materials and what ‘ave you.

*NOTE: THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS (sort of)*

Contents

• Gavin & Stacey (2007 – 2024)
• Gavin & Stacey Quotes
• A Timeless Classic
• Gavin & Stacey Quotes Cards (Free PDF Printable)

Gavin & Stacey (2007 – 2024)

Ruth Jones and James Corden – alongside director Christine Gernon – created what will remain one of the U.K.’s most loved TV shows. It is proof that, more often than not, the extraordinary is found in the ordinary. 

The charm of BBC’s Gavin & Stacey is that it is purely about two people in love who bring their families and friends together as a result. Naturally, this brings challenges that require negotiating, particularly when it comes to the collision of England and Wales in the form of these relationships.

Nothing more, nothing less. People love it because they see themselves and people they know in the characters. Gavin & Stacey is the equivalent of a comfort meal! With a side of effortless British humour.

How could it not be a hit? The cast (and the genius writing) is what makes it the blinder of a show that it is.

The creators, Ruth Jones and James Corden, stepped in front of the camera as Nessa and Smithy: the best friends of Gavin & Stacey. Playing the title characters were Joanna Page (you may also know her from Love Actually) and Mathew Horne. 

Alongside them were some of the nation’s finest in the forms of Alison Steadman; Larry Lamb, Rob Brydon, Melanie Walters, Robert Wilfort, Steffan Rhodri, Julia Davis and Adrian Scarborough, Sheridan Smith, Margaret John and Pam Ferris (yes! Ms. Trunchbull!).

As the “lads”, we saw Russel Tovey; Samuel Anderson, Mathew Boynton, Andrew Knott, Dominic Gaskell, Jason Gregg and more. Plus many more talented actors and famous cameos, too.

Incredibly, the very same baby that stood in as Neil the Baby (Oscar Hartland) continued to play him for the remainder of the story, coming back as an eleven year old and then a sixteen year old in the last two specials!

Whilst the show’s root is Gavin and Stacey, most of the best quotes are actually said by their friends and family.

Let’s have some laughs.

Gavin & Stacey Quotes

“I won’t lie, you’re not everyone’s cup of tea but at the end of the day, when all’s said and done, you’re tidy.” – Nessa (Christmas Special, 2019)

Why not start with a declaration of love? Nessa’s way of expressing her feelings is unique to her and we’re all here for it.

“I was so excited last night, I didn’t get to sleep ‘til half past ten.” – Bryn (S3, E3)

Oh, Bryn. He’s the epitome of celebrating the small things in life.

“I’ll have a pint… of wine.” – Nessa (S1, E5)

I mean… she’ll have got plenty of antioxidants from a pint of wine.

“Chillax, Bryn. Get a beer down you. I’m not going to stir things up…” – Doris (S2, E5)

Doris is proof that sass has no age limit.

“Not drunk, drunk, but I have had some wines.” – Pam (S3, E2)

Either we know a Pam, or we are Pam. Which one is it for you?

“She’s family! Oh, you and me are gonna fall out today.” – Pam (S1, E4)

Pam is Mick’s queen. Fact.

“Well, it’s the last thing you expect to find when you come to work in the morning.” – Mick (S2, E4)

Oh, Mick. We all know you sent your thoughts and prayers to the family. It’s okay.

“It’s so different with Gavin, it couldn’t be less the same.” – Stacey (S1, E5)

Pure poetry for my collection of Gavin & Stacey quotes.

“I know, love, but let him be. You know Bryn’s a giver.” – Gwen (S1, E2)

A pure soul. We all wanted Gwen to get her happy ending, didn’t we?

“I can guarantee Pete’s already eyeing up my bhunas. Am I wrong? Pete, have you thought about my bhunas?” – Smithy (S3, E2)

This entire sequence is phenomenal. It’s a completely mundane subject and yet, it’s one of the most memorable points in the entire show.

“Where’s the salad?” – Gwen (S3, E1)

I would also be mad about there being no salad, as it goes. C’mon, Doris. Nessa never actually says this – I checked!

“Dawn! Pete’s pretending to be Mick’s security guard!

Tell him to grow up.” – Pam & Dawn (S2, E4)

Where to start with these two? They are quite the rollercoaster pair.

“Oh, don’t get smart with me. I’ve got your number, I know what you’re about.” – Nessa (S1, E2).

Don’t mess with the Ness.

“Ah, it’s Gareth Gates. I’ll take it outside. He’ll be ages.” – Gavin (S1, E5)

Imagine.

“Dave takes him down the pub?! I wanted to be the first person to take him down the pub.” – Smithy (Christmas Special, 2008)

Classic Smithy.

“You’ve got a great face, Gavin. Gorgeous. And a great pair of lips.” – Doris (S2, E3)

Doris at it again, proving she’s still got it.

“When you know, you know… you know?

I do.” – Gavin & Mick (S1, E3)

TRUTH.

“It’s not how old you are, it is how you are old.” – Bryn (S2, E1)

Makes you think, doesn’t it?

“Smithy, mate, you’re a part of our family. Great friend to Gavin. Great friend to all of us.” – Mick (Finale, 2024)

I HAD to include this one. Mick’s speech for Smithy had me sobbing.

“The whole idea of it; you can eat an entire meal without even leaving your car. I felt like I was in the United States of America.” – Bryn (S2, E1)

It’s like the whole world amazes Bryn. I love it.

“I’m a hoot, aren’t I, Pam?” – Smithy (S2, E1)

Always back yourself.

“It was so good, I had to shave my head.” – Nessa (S2, E4)

What a life.

“It’s all the drama, Mick. I just love it!” – Pam (S2, E7)

We all know you do, Pam.

“Chill out Grandad.” – Dawn (S3, E2)

Drunk Dawn is sassy.

“Oh, Stace. Don’t get me wrong… at the end of the day… when all’s said and done… you know what I mean? Simple as.” – Nessa (S1, E5)

Sometimes words don’t cover it. Sometimes… they don’t need to.

“Oh my god, Doris is dead!” – Stacey (S2, E3)

The DRAMA with Stacey. She just dropped off during a fish & chip tea. No stress.

“I’ve been updating my MySpace. I’ve got 17 friends now. I’m snowed under! It’s ever such a lot of fun.” – Bryn (S2, E3)

Pure. So pure.

“I’ll tell you what I like doing. I like looking at people, right, and guessing whether it’s going to be a girl or a boy.

But you’ll never find out. You’ll never see them again.

I know. So I just have to guess the answers and all. So far, I’ve got three right and two wrong.” – Stacey & Gavin (S2, E3)

What is there to say?

“Don’t get me wrong, I loves Neil the Baby. He’s a good bloke. I wouldn’t be without him for the world, but at the end of the day, he’s needy. He’s always after something.” – Nessa (S3, E3)

Name another character that refers to their baby as a BLOKE.

“Aww, sweet. Looks like you, Pete. Only taller.” – Dawn (S2, E4)

Big oof.

“I can see them in my mind’s aisle.” – Pam (Christmas Special, 2019)

We all know someone who gets the common sayings and phrases wrong. It’s never not funny.

“Can I ask you a personal question? Where did you get those oven gloves?” – Pete (S2, E4)

It’s a serious question.

“The cheek of the woman! I thought if I ever see that evil woman, God knows what I’ll do.” – Gwen (S2, E5)

Gwen has a fiery streak. Who knew?

“To tell you the truth, Gwen, I’m absolutely tw*tted.” – Doris (Christmas Special, 2008)

Fair enough, Doris. You do you.

“Your only son has emigrated abroad to another country and you couldn’t give one jot. You couldn’t care a J O T E.” – Pam (S3, E1)

Oh Pam. Just pure gold.

“Babies freak me out a bit. I don’t know, it’s just… it looks like Smithy but smaller. Like a mini version.” – Deano (S3, E3)

It’s an interesting way of looking at things.

“Amazing. What you said is completely wrong and yet there’s a logic to it.” – Mick (S3, E4)

Pam is an enigma.

“Pamelaaarrrr, you festive mix of cheese and rosé.” – Smithy (Christmas Special, 2019)

One of Smithy’s many unique ways of greeting people.

“That is the one only singular good thing to come out of the smoking ban. The advancement in outdoor heating.” – Smithy (S3, E5)

Just that one thing?

“You say it first and I’ll say it back.

I love you.

I love you too.” – Gavin & Stacey (S1, E1)

This is repeated a few times – it’s their thing!

“You can’t leave Barry, Ness. You ARE Barry.” – Stacey (Finale, 2024)

Proof that Gavin and Stacey are only part of the show’s soul. It isn’t complete without their family and friends.

“Oh! What’s occurrin’?” – Nessa (continuously)

I had to finish my collection of Gavin & Stacey quotes with arguably the most iconic one.

A Timeless Classic

Forever a favourite of mine, Gavin & Stacey will remain a show I go back to again and again.

It’s a gold mine for hilarious one liners and witty quips. There are a number of lines I haven’t included in this post. Dawn in particular produces some brilliant insults. 

Truth be told, I’m trying to maintain a certain level of family friendly essence on Flavour of the Film – that’s the only reason I didn’t include more R-rated quotes.

I reckon my favourite episode in the entire series (aside from the Christmas specials) is the first episode of season two.

The majority of the episode takes place in an Italian restaurant for what is meant to be a nice family meal, but SO much happens. Just brilliant.

Let me know in the comments what your favourite episode of Gavin & Stacey is. Your favourite Gavin & Stacey quotes and characters, too! If you haven’t seen Gavin & Stacey: A Fond Farewell, I highly recommend giving it a watch.

Recipes based on British TV:

• Outlander Landscape Cake
• Good Omens Sugar Cookies
• Bridgerton Themed Afternoon Tea Menu
• Bridgerton Celebration Cake

Gavin & Stacey Quotes Cards (Free PDF Printable)

Try printing them on card and writing who said the quote on the back of each card. That way you can use these cards to play a fun guessing party game! You can cover the images with your hand and reveal the answer after all guesses have been made.