Joanna Page is set to grace our screens once more as the beloved Stacey Shipman in the much-anticipated final episode of the ‘s popular series, Gavin & Stacey.
The Welsh actress and presenter will don her character’s shoes one last time for a heartwarming special, joining forces with co-creators Ruth Jones and James Corden for a grand finale.
When she’s not lighting up the telly, Joanna juggles acting with motherhood. She embraced motherhood unexpectedly at 44, welcoming her fourth child in 2021.
Following the birth, she impulsively decided to have her fallopian tubes cut, a decision she reflects on with mixed feelings.
“Of course I’m feeling broody. After having Boe, I did have my fallopian tubes cut, I didn’t really think about it a lot. I knew, inside, I’m 46 I couldn’t go through another pregnancy, I’d be utterly exhausted and I also want to give enough time to my children,” Joanna shared candidly.
Joanna Page on set filming Gavin and Stacey (Image: Getty)
Despite the permanence of her choice, Joanna’s broodiness led her to research a reversal. “But not that long ago, I went on the internet, I looked up: ‘Can you have your tubes put back together?’ You can. One-in-200 women can maybe get pregnant after doing that. I told James, he just looked at me and went: ‘You what? What on earth are you going on about?’ So I will not be having anymore. I’ve got my beautiful four children.”
In addition to her acting career, Joanna has found presenting work to give her a better work/life balance.
She said: “I really enjoy presenting and it works a lot better with a family as you don’t have to go away for weeks on end. For the first six months after I had Eva I was away working filming two shows back to back. I had my mum looking after her on set but it was so tough as all I wanted to do was spend time with my new baby.
Joanna Page with husband James Thornton who she married in 2003 (Image: Getty)
“Also, I just find presenting a lot more interesting. You’re always doing something different and I love just being myself and chatting to people. It can be a lot more fun than sitting alone in a trailer for hours learning lines, then going out to do a scene where you’re pretending to be somebody else.”
Joanna has also been open about having to take medication for the rest of her life after being diagnosed with a health condition.
She spoke of the symptoms she suffered: “I just started to feel I was in slow motion all the time. I just had no energy. I’d get out of bed, load the washing machine, and then be so drained I’d have to sit around staring into space for the rest of the day.
“And I was continually freezing cold. I’d have the central heating on full blast, be wearing three layers of clothing including thermals, and my husband James would have to walk around in shorts because it was so hot in the house.”
Joanna was later diagnosed with an underactive thyroid and will take medication for the rest of her life, and she revealed that the medication has been having a positive effect on her – which she noticed when she accidentally stopped them.
*The Christmas special of Gavin and Stacey will be broadcast on One and available on iPlayer on Christmas Day.