Gavin and Stacey's Alison Steadman admits she's had to give up her 'favourite' thing as she approaches milestone

Alison Steadman plays Pam in the hit BBC sitcom which is due to return to screens for the final time this year with a Christmas special that will bring the beloved show to and end

Actress Alison Steadman has admitted that she’s had to give up her “favourite thing” as she’s gotten older.

Speaking to The Observer, the Gavin & Stacey star, 78, said that despite being very busy she had had to give up stage work. This, combined with a number of bereavements in her family, had made her stop and reflect as she approaches 80.

She told the publication in response to a question about slowing down: “Well, the week after next, I start seven new episodes of Here We Go, for the BBC, which I love. I’m not doing any more stage work, though, which is a shame, because it was my favourite thing.”

“And life has changed. I’ve lost my parents. I’ve lost both my sisters now, and so you do find yourself thinking: well, you’re 78, how many more years?”

“But then I think: Oh, just get on with it. You might get run over by a bus this afternoon. Be in the moment.”

Alison’s comments come as fans of Gavin & Stacey prepare to say goodbye to the legendary programme nearly 20 years after it first hit the UK’s screens. Alison, who has recently published a memoir called Out of Character, spoke about what it’s been like filming the final episode.

She said: “We’ve just been filming the last ever Gavin & Stacey Christmas special, and it’s honestly been the best fun ever. And for that, you’ve really got to leap in and be this character, not hold anything back. I love that balance between the two.”

Alison has admitted that whilst the filming of the final Gavin & Stacey special was fun it was also emotional as the cast waved goodbye to characters they had known for nearly 20 years.

Discussing it on the One Show she spoke about how the cast were “all dreading” the final scenes of filming with the majority of people in tears.

She recalled: “[W]e were all dreading that final scene when we finished. I think 90% of us were in tears, some people braved it, because it's been so fantastic. We had a wrap party, it was very nice, it was lovely. We'll just miss not filming it any more, it was fabulous.”