Alison Steadman, beloved for her role as Pam Shipman in the hit BBC series Gavin and Stacey, has announced a significant shift in her career plans as she approaches her 79th birthday this August. Following a fall in Dubai that resulted in injuries to her foot’s metatarsals and required the use of a wheelchair during recovery, Steadman has had to turn down numerous projects.
While she is keen to return to acting this summer, the actress has made it clear that she will no longer be performing in theatre. In a recent interview with Best magazine, Steadman said, “No, I’m not doing theatre again. I love doing the telly and radio, and I’ve had to turn down a lot of things because of my foot, but that’s the way it is. I’ll hopefully be back working in the summer, but we’ll see.”
Beyond her personal career choices, Steadman expressed enthusiasm for a potential Gavin and Stacey film adaptation. Despite the series wrapping up with its Christmas special in December 2024, she believes a cinematic version could be successful. “I’d love it if a film of Gavin and Stacey came up. If it did, I’d definitely be up for that. I think it would work as a film, too. Ruth Jones and James Corden are such brilliant writers. I’m sure they could make it work.”
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However, co-creator and star Ruth Jones previously dismissed the idea of continuing the show beyond its finale, calling the last episode “a beautiful ending to a wonderful journey” and noting viewers were “very satisfied” with its conclusion. Meanwhile, Larry Lamb, who plays Mick Shipman, sees a film version as a commercial opportunity, suggesting it could attract 35 million viewers and be financially lucrative.
As Steadman looks ahead to her future projects, fans can anticipate seeing her on television and radio, even as she steps away from the stage for good.