Gavin and Stacey star’s surprising new career revealed after being ‘tracked down’ for finale
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The Gavin and Stacey team had to put their sleuthing skills to the test to find an actor who appeared in early seasons of the BBC show for the Christmas Day finale. Their search was further complicated by the fact Daniel Jeffrey, who played one of Gavin (Mathew Horne) and Smithy’s (James Corden) primary school friends, had ditched showbiz and changed his name.
![[Ruth Jones and James Corden talking in BBC documentary Gavin and Stacey: A Fond Farewell]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_234724108-920b-e1735772612540.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
However, James revealed on BBC documentary A Fond Farewell, that a casting director eventually found Daniel, now a barrister, and he agreed to reprise his role of Simon for Smithy’s stag do. Fans will remember Simon was part of the best friend duo Gary N’ Simon, with Gary played by Jason Gregg, and briefly appeared in the first two seasons.
![[Uncl grabs - Gavin & Stacey star reveals how casting director had to track him down to return for finale after becoming a barrister Credit: BBC / Gavin & Stacey: A Fond Farewell]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_234725078-301c.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
During A Fond Farewell, James implied it was only fitting for Daniel to return as Simon to complete Smithy’s circle of Friends in the last-ever episode of Gavin and Stacey. However, the search was complicated as Daniel previously used the surname ‘Knightley’ when he was working as an actor and has now turned his back on his former career.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video. Up Next. James explained: ‘This is Gary and Simon, the original Gary and Simon. Lauren the casting director she did a bit of detective work to track you down.
