Actor Rakie Ayola has described her role in the finale of the BBC comedy Gavin & Stacey as a significant highlight in her award-winning career across stage and screen.
Ayola, who hails from Cardiff, played the registrar responsible for marrying the show's popular characters Nessa Jenkins and Dave "Smithy" Smith, portrayed by co-writers Ruth Jones and James Corden respectively.
"Standing between Ruth and James, it suddenly occurred to me that this was the picture," Ayola stated, reflecting on the moment. "I thought, 'wow, look at me, so this is the most important and influential minute of my career.'"
Her acting credits include appearances in television dramas such as The Pact, Anthony, Silent Witness, Casualty, and Doctor Who. The opportunity to feature in the comedy, which is set between Barry in South Wales and Billericay in Essex, arose after she encountered Ruth Jones during a theatre visit.
