star Laura Aikman wasn’t allowed to stay in the same hotels as her cast-mates – for one specific reason.
The actress, best known for playing Sonia in the hit sitcom, first appeared back in 2019 for a single episode. Fans never knew she’d be back for the special 2024, and the cast went to extreme measures to keep it that way.
The insufferable Sonia was Smithy’s long-term fiancée in the show, who he eventually left at the altar while realising he wanted to marry Nessa instead. She was first introduced as Smithy’s girlfriend in 2019.
Actress Laura went to extreme lengths to hide her participation in the episode. According to TV critic Scott Bryan, she didn’t even tell her parents she’d been hired to reprise her role.
Scott tweeted: “Sonia (Laura Aikman) stayed in different hotels than the crew to protect the plot. She didn’t even tell her parents she was in it, who are tuning in to the finale tonight alongside her.”
One Gavin and Stacey star was excluded from cast parties (Image: Getty)
Taking to , Laura herself shared the sweet moment her parents finally realised she was appearing in the series, writing alongside a video of them reeling in shock: “The moment my family realise Sonia is ruining Christmas again…”
Her mum yelled: “Oh my God?! What? You never told us!” as Laura responded: “We never told anyone!”
She added: “I take an NDA very seriously.” Director Christine Gernon admitted: “@Lauraikman spent the whole G&S shoot being hidden away. Staying in a different hotel, not allowed to come to wrap or screening parties so no-one knew Sonia was back.
Laura Aikman was forced to stay in a separate hotel (Image: Getty)
“Such a great reveal. And she’s amazing as both actor and person.”
Fans couldn’t cope with the moment it was revealed Sonia was set to marry Smithy instead of Nessa, with one fuming: “I heard the whole UK gasp!” as another said: “Gotta deal with the insufferable Sonia on Gavin and Stacey AGAIN?!”