He starred as an iconic character in a BBC sitcom – and left fans doubting whether they would get the happy ending they craved after he was spotted filming the finale.
But the star also made a surprise cameo in another series written by his co-star.
The Welsh actor, 57, has been seen in the role of Leon in an unearthed episode of the Sky series Stella – a comedy filmed in the Rhondda valleys.
He has had an illustrious career in film, TV and theatre, including featuring in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.
So can you recognise his face?
He starred as an iconic character in a BBC sitcom – and left fans doubting whether they would get the happy ending they craved after he was spotted filming the finale
But the star also made a surprise cameo in another series written by his co-star
The actor is none other than Steffan Rhodri, who played Gavin and Stacey’s infamous character Dave Coaches.
Dave was known for being engaged to writer and actor Ruth Jones’s character Nessa – and Steffan even cast doubt on the show’s finale when he was spotted filming for the special earlier in the year.
But in a huge plot twist, fans were left stunned on Christmas Day as it was revealed that Dave’s appearance was because he had been secretly dating Stacey’s mother Gwen.
Throughout the episode, Gwen had been sneaking off to various places and being tight-lipped about where she’d been.
It was clear something was up but no one could have predicted that the unlucky in love Gwen had finally found romance with Dave, played by Steffan.
But Steffan is no stranger to working with Gavin & Stacey writer Ruth, as he made a cameo in her Sky drama Stella – which began in 2012.
Stella follows the life of its titular character, played by Ruth, who is a struggling mother of three living in the fictional Welsh town of Pontyberry.
Steffan appears in the episode as Leon, who is married to Oliver Ryan’s character Darren. The couple share a son called Jacob, who has been bullying a boy at school by calling him gay.
The actor is none other than Steffan Rhodri, who played Gavin and Stacey’s infamous character Dave Coaches – known for being engaged to Ruth Jones’s Nessa
But in a huge plot twist, fans were left stunned on Christmas Day as it was revealed that Dave’s appearance was because he had been secretly dating Stacey’s mother Gwen
But Steffan is no stranger to working with Gavin & Stacey writer Ruth, as he made a cameo in her Sky drama Stella – which began in 2012
Steffan appears in the episode as Leon, who is married to Oliver Ryan’s character Darren
In the episode, both dads come to the door when the father of the boy being bullied, Carl, shows up wanting answers – but is left baffled by them being a gay couple themselves.
Carl is joined by recurring character Rob Morgan, played by Mark Lewis Jones, to confront Leon and Darren about their son’s behaviour.
‘Perhaps your son is simply acting out, calling Ben names is potentially a sign that he’s struggling to come to terms with your situation.’
‘I said this, didn’t I say this Darren?’ Steffan’s character Leon says, before he replies: ‘You did Leon.’
Rob adds: ‘I’m sure he doesn’t have a problem with the whole gay thing it’s just a case of bully or be bullied and by using the one thing people can use against him he’s effectively reclaiming it.’
Leon (Steffan) nods and says: ‘You’re so right. He’s so right isn’t he Darren? He’s bang on, isn’t he Carl?’
Steffan’s role in Stella came after Gavin and Stacey, but the actor recently revealed his character Dave Coaches was originally only supposed to appear in a handful of scenes in one episode.
The Fifteen-love star confessed that he even had to convince his agent to let him take the part.
Steffan’s role in Stella came after Gavin and Stacey, but the actor recently revealed his character Dave Coaches was originally only supposed to appear in a handful of scenes in one episode (Pictured in February)
The Fifteen-love star confessed that he even had to convince his agent to let him take the part of Dave
Steffan explained that his agent only thought the part would be small and not worth him taking it on but the actor added that he knew the show would be something special.
He said: ‘Because Dave only appeared in a couple of scenes in one episode of series 1, I had to convince my agent that it was worth doing what she considered a small part.’
The star added that it has since become something that makes him laugh and he even jokes about it now.
He added: ‘I sensed it was a hit and had no doubt about doing it. I teased my agent for many years about it afterwards.
‘From the beginning I thought the sharp, witty tone would be successful especially as it was coupled with genuine affection for the characters rather than mocking them.’
