Gavin and Stacey star reveals he was tracked down for special after changing career
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Former Gavin and Stacey cast member Daniel Jeffrey has recalled being 'tracked down' to return for the finale after having pursued a career away from acting in recent years. Daniel played Simon in the first two series of the BBC show over a decade ago. Simon was introduced as a friend of Gavin Shipman (played by Mathew Horne) and Neil 'Smithy' Smith (James Corden) with Gary Finch (Jason Gregg).
Both Gary and Simon returned for the latest special, which aired on Christmas Day, for Smithy's stag do and wedding. The reunion was referenced in behind-the-scenes documentary Gavin and Stacey - A Fond Farewell on New Year's Day. Approaching cast members Daniel and Jason, James said: "This is Gary and Simon. The original Gary and Simon." Co-creator Ruth Jones added: "The casting director, she did a bit of detective work, didn't she, to track you down.".
Daniel then said in the documentary: "I actually can't believe she found me. I had a stage name, Daniel Knightley, because I was working in cinema at the time and I was like I need a better name. So I kind of just landed on a Keira Knightley poster and said 'I'll be Daniel Knightley'. So I didn't even have the same name [when she found me for the finale].".
He went on to share that he's now a barrister, after working for the police. Daniel said: "She tracked me down from the police into becoming a barrister, got in touch with my chambers, who then said 'oh someone from a casting agency's contacted you'. And I was like 'that can only be one thing' because I've really only ever been in one thing'." Ruth then asked: "So are you a barrister now?" Daniel responded: "Yeah.".
