Gavin & Stacey star reveals BBC casting director had to track him down to appear in show's finale after he ditched acting to become a barrister
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An original Gavin & Stacey actor has revealed how the BBC casting director had to track him down to return for the highly anticipated finale after he ditched acting for a new career as a barrister. Daniel Jeffrey portrayed Simon, one of Smithy’s stag-do companions during the first series of the hit show in 2007.
![[Daniel Jeffrey portrayed Simon, one of Smithy’s stag-do companions during the first series of the hit show in 2007]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/01/21/93656021-14242269-image-a-25_1735765867653.jpg)
During the new behind-the-scenes documentary, A Fond Farewell, which aired on Wednesday night, Daniel revealed that he has since trained to be a barrister and now works in London. However it was difficult for the show to find Daniel after 17 years as he was in fact using a 'stage name'.
![[During the new behind-the-scenes documentary, A Fond Farewell, Daniel revealed that he has since trained to be a barrister and now works in London]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/01/20/93654793-14242269-During_the_new_behind_the_scenes_documentary_A_Fond_Farewell_Dan-a-19_1735764445183.jpg)
Speaking to creators Ruth Jones and James Corden on set, James said: '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. Daniel explained: '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.
![[Speaking to creators Ruth Jones and James Corden on set, James said: '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]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/01/20/93654795-14242269-Speaking_to_creators_Ruth_Jones_and_James_Corden_on_set_James_sa-a-20_1735764449389.jpg)
Original Gavin & Stacey actor has revealed how the BBC casting director had to track him down to return for the highly anticipated finale after becoming a barrister. Daniel Jeffrey portrayed Simon, one of Smithy’s stag-do companions during the first series of the hit show in 2007.
![[Daniel explained: 'I actually can't believe she found me, I had a stage name Daniel Knightley because I was working in cinema at the time. She tracked me down from being in the police to being a barrister']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/01/20/93654797-14242269-Daniel_explained_I_actually_can_t_believe_she_found_me_I_had_a_s-a-21_1735764453208.jpg)
'So I kind of just landed on a Keira Knightley poster and was like, "I'll be Daniel Knightley" So I didn't even have the same name. 'She tracked me down from being in the police to being a barrister, she got in touch with my chambers, who then said, someone from a casting agency has contacted you.
![[Ruth and James asked: 'Are you a barrister now then?' Daniel confirmed: 'Yeah, yeah']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/01/20/93654789-14242269-Ruth_and_James_asked_Are_you_a_barrister_now_then_Daniel_confirm-a-22_1735764456766.jpg)
