Ruth Jones to Read Shipping Forecast for Centenary

Ruth Jones, known for her role as Nessa in the popular sitcom Gavin & Stacey, will reprise her character one last time by reading the Shipping Forecast on BBC Radio 4 to commemorate its 100th anniversary. The show, which concluded with a highly-rated Christmas finale, saw Nessa and Smithy's storyline reach a conclusion with a proposal, attracting 12.3 million viewers. This broadcast marks the first time a Gavin & Stacey character returns since the creators ruled out further episodes. The Shipping Forecast is a beloved British institution, offering crucial weather information to seafarers and having inspired many cultural works. Other celebrities, such as Dame Ellen MacArthur and Stephen Fry, will also participate in the centenary celebrations. The event highlights the enduring cultural significance of both the Shipping Forecast and Gavin & Stacey in British media.