Larry Lamb was tempted to get a tattoo on his forehead telling people he didn't know if 'Gavin and Stacey' was returning.
Larry Lamb
The 71-year-old actor became so "frustrated" about being asked if the sitcom was ever going to make a comeback that he considered a permanent inking, so he was relieved when a Christmas special was confirmed.
He said: "I was really getting to the point, it was so frustrating, I was going to have a roll on tattoo that just went across my forehead and said, 'Sorry, I don't know. Don't ask.' But now I do know."
The former 'EastEnders' star wasn't sure what to expect about the 'Gavin and Stacey' Christmas special script, but as soon as he started reading the opening lines he realised co-writers James Corden and Ruth Jones had "done it".
Larry - who plays Mick Shipman in the show - added: "When you read a script that's just completely new to you you're looking for so much in it, but when you're looking at something that's like a reflection of a major part of your life you don't know how they're going to deal with it.
"You open at page one and you think, 'Right.' As an actor after all these years you become an instant critic of everything you're reading.
"I just realised straight away, 'This is it, they've done it. There's no way you're going to be frightened about anything.' I just flipped over, 10 years later and there you go, you're in. It was extraordinary."
The former 'New Tricks' star believes the 'Gavin and Stacey' festive special, which will air on Christmas Day (25.12.19), will go down really well with the fans.
Speaking on 'Lorraine', he added: "There's millions of people out there who are not going to be disappointed. There are some scenes in that I tell you.
"It's going to be a rocking Christmas night."
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