A GAVIN and Stacey star has finally opened up about a joke which has left fans scratching their heads for years.
Gavin and Stacey captured hearts across the UK when it first hit screens back in 2007.
Running for three series, it followed the romantic story of Stacey (played by Joanna Page) and Gavin (portrayed by Matthew Horne), and their relatives and friends.
Now, the hit BBC comedy show is making a return for one final episode this Christmas – and fans are in for a treat.
Over the years, the series has garnered a huge fanbase, with it becoming renowned for its one liners and memorable jokes.
One joke, in particular, has left fans baffled and it all centres around Owain Hughes.
Appearing in the first episode of the third series as Gavin’s new colleague from Wales, Owain introduces himself as “Owain Hughes, and before you ask… No I don’t!”
He and another colleague burst out into laughter and even Gavin’s uncle-in-law, Bryn West (Rob Brydon) seems to get the joke but Gavin is left completely confused.
When Owain reaches Gavin’s office, Gavin introduces Bryn to him.
Bryn then makes the joke himself and says “Owain Hughes! And do you?” to which Owain responds: “No I don’t”.
In the same episode, Gavin tries to work out what the inside joke is from his best friend Smithy (James Corden), but he is left just as confused.
Now the actor Steve Meo, who portrayed Owain, has shared some insight behind the joke.
But, according to him, there’s not really much mystery to the joke at all.
He told WalesOnline: “It is a red herring designed to infuriate and spark debate.”
“Funnily enough when I first went in for the audition that’s the first thing I asked Ruth (Jones, co-creator) ‘there isn’t a joke is there because I’m going mad.'”.
With the news that the show is set to make an exciting return to screens, let's take a look at some of the comedy programme's biggest and best moments...
Steve also explained the levels at which fans have gone to uncover the truth behind the joke, even going as far as approaching his mother in a Tesco supermarket to ask her what the joke means.
Sharing a phone call he received from his mother, Steve said: “She said ‘right, you’ve got to tell me. The manager has just said over the tannoy now that if anyone can tell him what the joke means they’ll get a free bottle of wine.’ I said ‘sorry mam, I’m contractually obliged not to tell you.'”
The hugely-anticipated show will be making a return on Christmas Day and will pick up from the cliffhanger ending of the 2019 special, which saw Nessa down on one knee for Smithy as she asked him to marry her.
The episode was the most-watched TV comedy show since Only Fools and Horses in 2002.
Fans were recently treated to a first look at the upcoming special in the Strictly Come Dancing finale over the weekend.
Ruth Jones as Nessa made an appearance during the Strictly final to read out the terms and conditions to viewers, whilst cracking a few iconic one liners.
Appearing on the BBC show, she was heckled by her iconic catchphrase “what’s occurring” as she bit back: “Oh you don’t think I hear that every day?!”
Gavin and Stacey is set to air on BBC One on Christmas Day.
