Laura Aikman had a major secret to hide about the Gavin and Stacey Christmas finale, but a fan watching the show realised they were central to a major plotline without their knowledge
The Gavin and Stacey Christmas special saw the return of Laura Aikman, 39, playing Smithy’s girlfriend Sonia.
Many fans were shocked by her appearance in the finale, expecting James Corden’s Smithy to be getting married to Ruth Jones’ Nessa, after she proposed to him during the 2019 cliffhanger episode. Instead, Smithy spent most of the show preparing for his wedding to Sonia. BBC producers went to great lengths to keep the twist a secret – including getting a fan involved without their knowledge.
On Instagram on Sunday, Waterloo Road star Laura revealed that she wasn’t even to buy a wedding dress for the special in person, and instead had one purchased from a second-hand site. Alongside photos of her in the gorgeous gown, she wrote: “We couldn’t go wedding dress shopping (because of the secrecy), so this was from Vinted, (it probably belonged to someone who watched the show!)
“Shout out to our costume designer #ShanJames who had to alter it massively as 48 hrs before we shot the wedding it didn’t fit. Our formidable make up designer #marcuswhitney found me this amazing wig, yes IT’S A WIG. It was fitted & styled by gorgeous @alisonwebbxxmakeup who also did my make up and hid with me.”
Laura’s Gavin and Stacey stylist Shan Jones responded, detailing how the dress was actually from FaceBook marketplace. She wrote: “Thank you gorgeous lady! It was a pleasure to dress you an absolute pleasure even though it was a massive job altering that gorgeous dress for you. It was from FB Marketplace and the lady selling the dress thought I was ‘well dodgy’ when I was so secretive!!’ She messaged me on Boxing Day.”
Shan then shared that the fan saw the episode and followed up with her to ask: “I just watched Gavin & Stacey and had the oddest feeling that was my wedding dress that Sonia wore – can I ask if that’s what you used it for?” with Shan replying: “Hi there! I tried to find these messages yesterday so that I could let you know exactly that! I couldn’t say a thing as it was extremely top secret and I couldn’t take Laura to any shop in case she was spotted.
“You can now tell the world! I had to alter it quite a lot to fit her but it was worth it I think. She looked gorgeous so thank you so much xx.” The Gavin and Stacey fan shared their excitement, sending back: “That is amazing, it’s my absolute favourite show! I had good bumps when I watched it! I noticed the panel in the back, Oh bless! This is so great I’m totally made up, thanks for letting me know.’ What a cool job you have too!”
In a comment to another fan, Laura revealed the dramatic alterations she had on the dress just a couple of days before wearing it on screen. “I had to have the boning taken out coz it was too big on top and the lace put in the back at the bottom coz my bum was too big…” she described.
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