INTERVIEW: RUTH JONES WI Life March 2014 19 What’s occurring? With a shiny new MBE in her pocket and Gavin and Stacey on her CV, writer and actor Ruth Jones has once again turned to the Valleys for inspiration Interview Lucy Collins uth Jones is polite and Minister’s favourite television show and I think that is what men are drawn to.’ smiley when I meet her Gavin and Stacey and will forever live Ruth lives in Cardiff with her husband at a London hotel to talk with people bellowing ‘tidy’ or ‘what's David Peet, series producer on Stella, and about her TV sitcom occurring?’ at her in the street in honour was brought up in south Wales. Before her Stella. She admires my of Nessa, her laconic, tattooed, don’t- career went stellar with Gavin and Stacey dress before inviting give-a-damn character in the show. she appeared in comedies Fat Friends, me to sit down while Ruth has followed it up with the equally Little Britain, Saxondale and Nighty Rshe pours me a drink. I perform the usual brilliant Stella, which is currently airing Night. Not bad going for someone who, female ritual of telling her where it was on Sky. As with Gavin and Stacey, she in the early days when she was struggling from and how unimpressive it is. ‘I think co-wrote it as well as starring in it. Her for parts, had seriously considered I’ve worn a couple of Debenhams dresses considerable talents were rewarded with retraining a as a solicitor. to red-carpet events,’ she tells me. an MBE for services to entertainment in From the age of she had taken part I express my surprise at her high street the New Year’s Honours. Ruth says she in school musicals alongside actor and shopping habits – after all, she’s on was ‘shocked and delighted’. comedian Rob Brydon, who played Uncle the telly! She’s the creator of the Prime ‘Stella would say “that’s stunning that Bryn in Gavin and Stacey. is”, and Nessa wouldn’t be impressed at all.’ ‘I really enjoyed it but I never thought Ruth is delighted by the success of of doing it professionally,’ says Ruth. ‘I Stella: ‘It’s been going for three series thought that happened to other people, now. It’s a great achievement and I’m not me.’ really proud of it.’ When did she realise she had an ability Stella is a single mum living in the to make people laugh? ‘Oh my gosh, I fi ctional town of Pontyberry in the Welsh don’t know. I did school shows so it was Valleys with her three children by two quite a revelation hearing people laugh fathers. She got pregnant at and her when you’re doing something on stage.’ teenage daughter has followed suit, while Does comic talent run in the family? her oldest son has done a stint in prison. ‘My family have got a sense of humour, On paper it sounds like a template for a but all families have, haven’t they? I depressing reality TV show, while in fact don’t think you need to be on TV to make it’s anything but. It’s warm and funny and people laugh. Loads of people in my life Ruth (left) as the indomitable Nessa with the cast of Gavin and Stacey is stuff ed full of eccentric characters. make me laugh and they’re not all on Why the Valleys? ‘The community television.’ there is so wonderful, it just lent itself And Ruth thrives on her input as a to stories. What is real up there is that writer. ‘I love getting the little seed of people look out for each other.’ an idea for a script and then seeing it all Ruth says she sees Stella as sexy, come to fruition. whereas TV critics – however admiring of ‘It’s very satisfying to see it start from a the show – have described the character storyline and then watch it up on screen. as dowdy. (Stella used to take in ironing She is due to fi lm a Christmas special of for a living and is now shown training to Stella and is also working on a top-secret be a nurse.) writing project. ‘I absolutely can’t talk In previous episodes she dated a about it,’ she laughs. gorgeous man ten years her junior and I Does she think the WI has comic wonder whether Ruth set out to show that potential? Her knowledge is limited to an ordinary woman can hook a hot guy. Calendar Girls, she admits. ‘No, is the simple answer,’ says Ruth. ‘I ‘But I bet if somebody was in the WI, didn’t set out to say “oh I’m going to show who knew it very well and had a penchant that women like Stella can do that”. I just for writing, I’m sure they could do a very think that it’s fun and interesting and as good job.’ it should be. Stella is an attractive person, and I’m talking about who she is inside, I Stella is on Sky, Fridays, pm. WI Life March 2014 18 Stella is a single mum who is re-training I don’t think as a nurse you need to be on television to make people laugh.