together such as weddings, christenings, birthday parties and Christmases. However, the show also presents the families interacting in deliberately non-dramatic situations, such as a visit to the beach and nights out. In these scenes, the subtle dialogue between the characters often contains underlying jokes or comedic value. The series also follows the contrasting relationship between Smithy and Nessa. Despite their dislike for each other, they have several one-night stands, leading to Nessa becoming pregnant and having their baby. Whilst Gavin and Stacey are the clear main characters, towards the end of the show's run, the dramatic emphasis switches slightly from them, as they resolve their distance issues, to Smithy and Nessa, as Nessa becomes engaged to another man. Other storylines in the three series include Pam's fake vegetarianism, Bryn and his nephew Jason's struggle to keep the events of their disastrous fishing trip a secret, and the ridiculously rocky marriage of Pam and Mick's friends Pete and Dawn. Cast The surnames of well-known English serial killers were used for some of the main characters – Harold Shipman, Fred West and Peter Sutcliffe. Ruth Jones commented in 2009: "I suppose we were hoping that people wouldn't realise and then when it does come to light, it's even more delicious..." Main Gavin Shipman (Mathew Horne) – nicknamed "Gavlar", or "Gavalar" – the enthusiastic level-headed protagonist from Billericay in Essex. Stacey Shipman (née West) (Joanna Page) – protagonist from Barry in Wales. Neil "Smithy" Smith (James Corden) – Gavin's oldest and closest friend, lives in Billericay. Smithy grows jealous of Gavin and Stacey's relationship, and has a complicated relationship with Nessa. He fathers her child, Neil Noel Edmund Smith. Vanessa Shanessa "Nessa" Jenkins (Ruth Jones) – Stacey's oldest and closest friend, lives in Barry. Nessa has several celebrity connections, such as MP John Prescott, and later begins a relationship with Dave "Coaches" Lloyd Gooch. Michael "Mick" Shipman (Larry Lamb) – Gavin's down-to-earth father. Pamela Andrea "Pam" Shipman (née Gryglaszewska) (Alison Steadman) – Gavin's house-proud and over-protective mother. Brynfor "Bryn" West (Rob Brydon) – known as "Uncle Bryn"; Stacey's protective, naïve and eccentric uncle, and Gwen's brother-in-law. Bryn's brother, Trevor, Stacey's father, died prior to the time depicted in the series, and Bryn helped the family cope. He has a difficult relationship with his nephew, Jason, due to a seemingly disturbing incident on their fishing trip. It is occasionally implied that he is attracted