Stars of huge BBC sitcom take over Radio 2 Breakfast just days after Zoe Ball quits
RADIO 2 fans are in for a treat thanks to a huge takeover following Zoe Ball’s exit from the BBC Breakfast Show.
The cast of Gavin and Stacey are set to take over the entire morning show ahead of their huge festive comeback on Christmas Day.
Stars including the sitcom’s creators James Corden (Smithy) and Ruth Jones (Nessa) will be taking to the airwaves on Monday from 6.30am, along with Mat Horne (Gavin) and Joanna Page (Stacey).
They will be joined by Larry Lamb (Mick) and Alison Steadman (Pamela), along with Rob Brydon (Uncle Bryn) and Robert Wilfort (Jason).
The takeover will come just days after Zoe said a tearful final farewell to Radio 2 listeners after quitting the Breakfast Show.
She bowed out on Friday morning (December 20) and gave a five minute monologue while saying goodbye.
Zoe paid homage to her two children, colleagues and a special mention was given to her good friend and fellow radio star Jo Whiley.
She said: “A special shoutout to my friend Jo. Her show is my favourite on air. She has been such a friend to me in so many ways.
“Jo, keep championing great music. You are one beautiful lady, friend and mama. You are my hero.”
Zoe, who has hosted the show for six years, also credited the entire Breakfast Show team, saying “they held me up, quite literally, when I was at my lowest”.
She quit the top BBC job last month to “focus on family” following the death of her mum.
Zoe will now take an extended break but told listeners she will return in the Spring for “new adventures”.
Scott Mills has been announced as Zoe’s replacement in the new year, but it will be the cast of Gavin and Stacey taking over her seat on Monday morning.
The Gavin & Stacey Takeover will come just two days before the smash hit sitcom returns to the BBC for one final and extended festive episode.
A statement from the BBC said: “Over three joyous hours in the Radio 2 studio, they will be entertaining listeners, exclusively revealing secrets about the making of the upcoming finale, sharing memories from the series across the years, talking about their favourite festive traditions and, of course, playing some brilliant songs to soundtrack the show as they invite us to ‘step into Christmas’ with them!”
Gavin & Stacey: The Finale will air at 9pm on BBC One on Christmas Day and it is expected to draw in millions of viewers.
The Gavin and Stacey Christmas special 2019 ended on a huge cliff-hanger, with Nessa (Ruth) proposing to Smithy (James) and fans are desperate to know what happened next.
Speaking to Good Morning Britain, James has confirmed this will definitely be the last ever episode of the smash hit show.
“It’s definitely the last time you’ll ever seen them, no question,” James said.
Ruth added: “When you see this episode, you’ll go, ‘There’s nowhere to go after this’.”
- BBC Radio 2 Breakfast: A Gavin and Stacey Takeover, 6.30am to 9.30am, on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.