How Gavin and Stacey star Laura Aikman fooled fans before comeback - NDA to hotel isolation
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Gavin and Stacey star Laura Aikman's involvement in the last ever episode was so top secret that even her own family had no idea she would be in it - and she kept it a huge secret from them for months. Over 12 million fans of the BBC sitcom tuned into watch the series final on Christmas Day and they were all left in disbelief when a shock twist showed James Corden's character Smithy was preparing to marry girlfriend Sonia - played by Laura, 39.
The last Christmas special that aired in 2019 ended with a cliffhanger proposal where Ruth Jones's Nessa proposed to Smithy, and fans were expecting the episode to focus on their long-awaited wedding. However, in an unexpected twist Sonia was the one to be revealed as his blushing fiancée.
During the weeks that Gavin and Stacey filmed in Essex and Wales over the summer, paparazzi shots showed the familiar cast of characters moving around for scenes - but actress Laura was nowhere to be seen on set. That's because her involvement as Sonia was kept top secret until the episode actually aired on Christmas Day.
It was so top secret that even her own family had no idea she was going to feature in the episode. Taking to social media after the episode aired, Laura shared video footage of her family reacting in shock to see her on their TV screen - and how she managed to keep the exciting news so well hidden.
Laura posted the video to her Instagram grid alongside a caption that stated: "I take an NDA very seriously." And she added: "The moment my family realise Sonia is ruining Christmas again..." Her family were stunned by the reveal - and one could be heard gasping: "You never told me" - with Laura replying: "We never told anyone.".
