Gavin and Stacey 'say goodbye'

Gavin and Stacey writer and star James Corden says he's "very sad" as the cast prepare for the third and final series of the hit TV show.

Rehearsals commence on 8 June, with filming starting on 15 June.

Corden, who plays Neil 'Smithy' Smith, in the show said: "It's an emotional time because we're saying goodbye to these characters that we love.

"So the whole thing is very sad and I just hope it can be as good as possible."

However, 31-year-old Corden did not rule out working with co-writer Ruth Jones following the series' conclusion.

He added: "You know, when we wrote the words, 'This really is the end, the end', we were both a bit welled up and we looked at each other and we were sure that's it. I just hope it's good enough.

"Ruth and I, we'd like to write something else again but we're inevitably not going to spend as much time locked in a room together."

Hollywood bound

The comedian and actor is also starring in the Hollywood production of Jonathan Swift's book Gulliver's Travels, alongside Jack Black and Emily Blunt.

"I play a character called Jinks. I just pop up throughout it," said Corden. "I'm the king's assistant and the king is played by Billy Connolly so essentially it's the best job in the world, I get to hang around with him all day.

"My trailer is the same size as it is on Gavin and Stacey. The only difference is I have to walk further to get to it," he joked.

"I have to walk past bigger trailers to get to my little rabbit hutch in the corner. I can't tell you how true that is."

The final series of Gavin and Stacey is yet to have a confirmed transmission date.

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Gavin and Stacey
Glamour Awards 2009