Joanna Page's off-screen life from Gavin & Stacey role to health ...

Joanna Page is set to grace our television screens once more as Stacey Shipman in the much-anticipated final episode of the beloved BBC series Gavin & Stacey.

Fans of the heart-warming sitcom can look forward to a special Christmas treat, as Joanna Page reprises her iconic role as Stacey Shipman for the ultimate festive special. The finale sees the return of Ruth Jones and James Corden, who have come together one last time to give fans a proper send-off.

When she's not portraying Stacey, Joanna is a devoted mother of four. She experienced an unexpected addition to her family in 2021 at the age of 44 and made the decision to have her fallopian tubes cut, a choice she later described as impulsive.

"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 said.

In a moment of reflection, Joanna admitted to researching whether it was possible to reverse the procedure: "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."

Beyond acting, Joanna has found that her work in presenting has been a way to balance her career with quality family time.

She explained: "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.

"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 described her health struggle: "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 BBC One and available on BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day.