Where are the cast of Fat Friends now, from TV celebrity to Gavin and Stacey reunion

It’s almost 25 years since popular drama Fat Friends first hit our TV screens.

Broadcast for four seasons between 2000 and 2005, the show followed the members of a slimming club located in the Headingley district of Leeds. Created by Kay Mellor, Fat Friends first appeared on ITV and was a hit with viewers.

But the show recently found life and fans, now streaming on Netflix. The cast included stars such as James Corden, Ruth Jones and Alison Steadman, who went on to appear in the iconic sitcom Gavin & Stacey, OK! previously reported.

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Last week, Corden and Jones confirmed the news fans have been waiting for, that Gavin and Stacey will return for a final episode this year. The ECHO recently took a look back at what the stars of Gavin & Stacey have been up to next and, following its return, we decided to take a look at where the cast of Fat Friends are now.

This list is not intended to be comprehensive. But if you have a favorite Fat Friends character or moment, let us know comment section below.

James Corden – Jamie Rymer

Before James Corden and Ruth Jones co-wrote Gavin and Stacey and played Smithy and Vanessa, Corden played Jamie Rymer in Fat Friends. After Gavin and Stacey officially ended, Cordon went on to host Sky 1’s League of Their Own and starred in Doctor Who.

In 2015, he landed a £10 million deal to present The Late Late Show in Hollywood, becoming known for his Carpool Karaoke sketches with famous faces. He also starred in Into the Woods, Gulliver’s Travels, Cats and Peter Rabbit.

Living for years in Los Angeles with his wife Julia Carey and their three children, in April 2023 Corden filmed his last Late Late Show and returned to England. This Christmas the cast of Gavin & Stacey will return for one final episode.

Ruth Jones – Kelly Chadwick

Before taking on the iconic role of Nessa in Gavin & Stacey and co-writing the series, Ruth Jones played Kelly Chadwick in Fat Friends, who worked in a chippy. Following the success of Gavin & Stacey, Jones starred in such as Tess of the d’Urbervilles and Little Dorrit,

Sky One’s Stella was her next big comedy project, in which she starred and co-wrote several episodes. She has also had her own special chat shows including Ruth Jones’ Summer Holiday, Ruth Jones’ Easter Treat and Ruth Jones’ Christmas Cracker.

In 2018, he also starred in the Christmas comedy Nativity Rocks!. Jones also started a production company with husband David Peet and wrote three novels, Never Greener, Us Three and Love Untold.

Alison Steadman – Betty Simpson

Another high-profile actress joining the cast, Alison Steadman, was an Olivier Award-winning stage star, TV favorite and starred in many films before being cast in Fat Friends. Steadman first met Ruth and James while playing Betty in Fat Friends and was given the role of Pam, Gavin’s domineering mother, in Gavin & Stacey years later.

Once Gavin and Stacey ended, Steadman appeared in Lewis, Boomers and alongside John Cleese in Hold the Sunset. In 2021, he starred in The King’s Man.

Steadman is married to actor Michael Elwyn and the couple live in London. She is also an ambassador for the London Wildlife Trust and is a keen bird watcher and, as mentioned earlier, starred in the Billericay to Barry mini-series alongside Gavin and Stacey co-star Larry Lamb in last.

Gaynor Faye – Lauren Harris

Gaynor Faye played aspiring actress Lauren Harris in Fat Friends. Her mother, Kay Mellor, was the creator of the series.

In her career, Faye has made appearances in series including Emmerdale, playing Megan Macey, and starred in The Syndicate. She even stunned audiences by winning the inaugural season of Dancing on Ice in 2006 alongside professional partner Dan Whiston.

Last year he starred in Channel 5 drama The Inheritance. Faye has two children with partner Mark Pickering.

Jonathan Ryland – Kevin Chadwick

In Fat Friends, Jonathan Ryland played the character of Kevin Chadwick. In his career, he has appeared in various films and series seen across the globe.

His films include The Dark Knight and You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger. On TV, he appeared in Disney’s Good Luck Charlie, as well as The IT Crowd, Gavin & Stacey and The Syndicate.

Janet Dibley – Carol McGary

In Fat Friends, Dibley played Carol McGary, who was in charge of the weight loss group. After Fat Friends, Janet found success in the soap opera Doctors, taking over the role of Elaine Cassidy.

Her credits also stretch to shows like Broadchurch and Unforgotten. She has also starred in Coronation Street, Heartbeat and Casualty and Eastenders in her career.

Richard Ridings – Alan Ashburn

Richard Ridings appeared in 14 episodes of Fat Friends as Alan Ashburn. Since 2005, he has appeared in Coronation Street, Merlin, Holby City, Jerico and Endeavour.

But he also became known to a younger generation for lending his voice to the beloved character. For years, he voiced Daddy Pig in the popular Peppa Pig cartoons.

Kathryn Hunt – Val Lorrimer

Kathryn Hunt was known for her role as Val Lorrimer, appearing in the first two series. She later starred in the hit series Waterloo Road and Holby City, but is best known for starring in just one soap.

Many will know Hunt for playing Angela Harris in Coronation Street. She also appeared in The Royal and Drop Dead Gorgeous.

Lisa Riley – Rebecca Patterson

In series two, Lisa Riley joined the cast as Rebecca Patterson in Fat Friends. But Riley is probably best known as Mandy Dingle in Emmerdale.

After Fat Friends, he starred in Waterloo Road, Three Girls and Age Before Beauty. As well as this, she regularly appears as a panellist on ITV’s Loose Women and was a huge hit with viewers when she competed in series 10 of Strictly Come Dancing.

Lynda Baron

After playing Norma in Fat Friends, Baron continued her career with appearances in Doctor Who and EastEnders. But she may remain best known for her role as nurse Gladys Emmanuel in the BBC sitcom Open All Hours.

She also played Linda Clarke in Eastenders and Aunt Mabel in the popular children’s show Come Outside. In 2022, it was reported that Baron had died at the age of 82.

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