Ruth Jones Cover Feature

cover story ‘THE RED CARPET? I prefer Cardiff !’ Gavin & Stacey writer and star Ruth Jones talks to Zoe West about best friends, embracing her 50s – and why she’ll always love playing Nessa

uth Jones is used to Stella, and her previous comedy credits Although I dreaded approaching 40, everyone thinking she’s just include Little Britain and Nighty Night. in fact I loved it. A lot of great things like Nessa Jenkins. But when Now Ruth has finished her second novel, happened in my career, and I finally she arrives for our cover Us Three, a moving story following three started to believe in myself, and that shoot, smiling, friendly and friends through their complicated lives. I could achieve things. You appreciate a little bit nervous, she could scarcely While her big-time success began success more when it comes later in life Rbe further from the tough, leather- in her 40s, making her something of – and I still find it funny that I won Best clad character she plays in her hit a late bloomer, it only made her more Newcomer at the Comedy Awards at comedy Gavin & Stacey. grateful for what she has – not just the age of 40. I look back now and think, Casually dressed in a soft grey jumper, her stellar career, but her beloved ‘I wish I’d made more of that decade.’ jeans and trainers, and wearing no family and friends at home in Cardiff. But I love being in my 50s too, so it’s all make-up, the only sign Over a cuppa, Ruth, good. I remind myself that today is the of stardom is the camera 53, talks about girls’ youngest I’m ever going to be again. crew following her every ‘I was 40 weekends, taking a road move, as she’s also trip with her mum – and I’m blessed to have some really good being filmed for a TV before I finally why it still feels good to friends, including my little sister Maria. documentary. Ruth slip into Nessa’s fishnets. I’ve known one of my close friends, Nicola, claims she’s lazy, but her believed I could since I was eight. And then there’s Ceri, extraordinary writing If you’d asked me Cerys, Liza and Mairwen – we were 15 and acting credits tell achieve things’ when I was younger when we became pals. You go through a very different story. what life would be like all of life’s milestones together. Since Gavin & Stacey, co-written with James in my 50s, I’d probably have imagined I was 50, a couple of us have gone off Corden, certainly put Barry Island on the someone like my grandmother. I’d have for a girls’ weekend every May – we call map. Ruth’s return as Nessa in the show’s looked like a little old lady who went for ourselves the Merry May Makers. Christmas special, 10 years on, created a shampoo and set every week. But it’s a frenzy of hope for a potential fourth funny – when you get to your 50s it’s not I wanted my second novel to be series – although Ruth remains tight- like that at all because apart from a few about female friendships. In Us lipped about that. With husband David aches and pains, I feel like I’m in my 30s. Three, the story goes back to the 70s, Peet, she also produced and starred in Perhaps I ought to behave accordingly. and that era feels very real to me. >>

16 womanandhome.com My friends were at Dad’s funeral. He died nearly three years ago, aged 89. It was so sad, despite his age, and I miss him terribly. My friends have known my siblings and me since we were little, and it was phenomenal to have them there.

As you get older, you have to accept you’re not going to stay close to everyone. There’s a saying that friends come into your life for ‘a season, a reason or a lifetime’. Some friendships have a shelf life. You shouldn’t beat yourself up if you have to let it go. For it to last, you have to accept warts and all.

Perhaps I should have been more careful with my health. I have a bit of arthritis in my knee. When you’re younger you think, ‘Oh, that won’t happen to me,’ but of course these things do. I’m taking turmeric, as that’s anti-inflammatory. And I try to avoid processed carbohydrates. But I love walking. Even if it’s for only 20 minutes a day to get some fresh air and sunlight, a walk sets you up for the day.

There’s a lot to be said for life experience. Some people believe you shouldn’t go to drama school until you’ve had some experience that you can bring into your acting. The older you are, the more sights you’ll have seen. Donning Nessa’s leather again didn’t Gavin & Stacey. She’s classier than that I still live in Cardiff. My family are nearby, feel that strange. I’ve done a lot of and never just crude. People think I’m and my old friends. I guess I don’t want charity work over the past 10 years as just like Nessa in real life – and I’m not. the red-carpet lifestyle enough to Nessa. And sometimes my husband will change that. Saying that, I went to the say, ‘You sounded just like Nessa then.’ I’m not on social media at all. When NTA Awards recently and it was such Gavin & Stacey was on I was googling good fun. But then Nessa is such a great the reviews, and that stressed me out I went with Rob Brydon character. You don’t quite a lot. So I decided to stop – and and he’s another old ‘Today is the have to smile or be nice. it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done. friend – we were at It’s not even that she’s school together. It was youngest I’m rude, she’s just very I recently went on a road trip around so lovely being with straight. But I think Wales with my 83-year-old mum. We the rest of the Gavin ever going to everyone could see in went to some gorgeous places, heading & Stacey cast too. the Christmas special west, then up through mid Wales to Bala. that she has a softer We’ve already planned to do another I wouldn’t go out of be again’ side. She was lovely to one and visit the bits we missed. my way to go to a big celebrity bash. Baby Neil. At the NTAs, a woman asked You have to make an effort to dress up. me to say, ‘Oh, Neil the baby.’ So, I said it I loved writing my latest book. It can I’m a bit lazy really. I can’t be bothered in character, as Nessa – and she started be very solitary – but then you don’t have to put make-up on – I certainly don’t crying. Turned out her son is called Neil to consult anyone else. I’ve just signed wear it day-to-day. There’s something and they say it all the time in their house! another two-book deal, so I need to get more enjoyable about being at a party my thinking cap on again! among your friends. That makes me Some people don’t get Nessa. They sound ungrateful. I’m not. I just don’t think she swears a lot, but she doesn’t. ✣ Ruth Jones’ novel Us Three (£14.99,

PHOTOS: DAN KENNEDY. HAIR & MAKE UP: LIZ BECKETT. STYLING: NATALIE READ. PREVIOUS SPREAD: TOP, READ. PREVIOUS SPREAD: TOP, STYLING: NATALIE HAIR & MAKE UP: LIZ BECKETT. PHOTOS: DAN KENNEDY. COAT, RASPINI. OPPOSITE PAGE: DE LA DRAPIERE. TROUSERS, GINA BACCONI. EARRINGS, GIOVANNI CAROLYN TROUSERS, GINA BACCONI. RING, PEBBLE JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS. BEIGEPLUS.COM. TOP, ALEMBIKA AT RING, PEBBLE LONDON SIMPLYBE.CO.UK. DRESS, CHI AT LONDON. SHOES, CHIE MIHARA. THIS PAGE: do the celebrity hangout thing. I don’t think she’s ever said the ‘F’ word in Bantam Press) is out in the autumn.

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