Gunning It From Behind

Ruth Jones reveals her new series of Stella should come with a warning – as there’s so much sex in it. The Welsh actress writes and stars in the comedy drama, which returns for a second run. But anyone who thinks it’s a wholesome family-friendly show might be in for a shock. Ruth says: "Everybody enjoyed all the bedroom Olympics. So, for series two, we have got new characters, new direction and lots of sex as well — because we thought that would be the way forward. Yep, there is a lot of sex, which is great. Those scenes are easy to write because they’re good fun. You find yourself writing stage directions like, 'Karl is gunning it from behind'."

Jones, who created and starred in Gavin & Stacey with James Corden, returns to our screens with Stella on Sky1 on Friday at 9pm. She plays the single mum of three from the Welsh valleys who has a complicated lovelife — and an odd collection of family and friends. After cameo appearances from the likes of Corden, Gethin Jones and Neil Kinnock in series one, there are more famous faces to look out for this time round. Strictly star Russell Grant is the guest of honour invited to open the local tanning shop. Ex-Welsh rugby player Scott Quinnell gives the school team a masterclass and Ashley Banjo, from Diversity, is in Pontyberry for Got To Dance auditions. Dennis Pennis star Paul Kaye also joins as a wacky Dutch new-age therapist who starts a self-help workshop in the village.


Stella was well-received by viewers and critics and earned Ruth, who lives in Cardiff with her TV producer husband David Peet, a BAFTA nomination. But she admits she was nervous about going it alone and writing a new show after Gavin & Stacey’s huge success. Ruth reveals: "Of course, the pressure was huge. But the response has been nothing but positive and I’ve been absolutely thrilled with it. I’m certainly not somebody who goes, ‘Oh, I never read reviews’, because I can’t help it - I wish that I didn’t. When Stella first went out, because I don’t do Twitter and things like that, David kept an eye on what people were saying and I said, ‘Don’t tell me, I don’t want to know, because they’re going to hate it and I can’t bear it and I’ll be really upset’. And then at the end of the show he just smiled and said, ‘They like it’."

As well as a fling with her first love, Rob, Stella started a romance with dishy decorator Sean, who became her toyboy. But Ruth, who also starred in Fat Friends, The Street and Little Dorrit, admits she did take a bit of stick for casting herself such a hunky leading man. She says: "Someone said to me, ‘Isn’t it a bit indulgent you have Stella meet this gorgeous fella?’ But I said, ‘It’s the type of television show that wants to warm people’s cockles’. We all like a bit of cheering up. You want to see this woman, who is struggling to get by have a Cinderella moment — there’s nothing wrong with that."