Gavin & Stacey star Ruth Jones celebrated her 60th birthday with a private party on September 19, 2026, at the Porthcawl and Kenfig Hill RAFA Club in Wales, joined by co-stars James Corden, Rob Brydon, Alison Steadman, and Melanie Walters. The event at the Royal Air Force Association venue featured Corden pouring pints behind the bar and Jones reuniting with Brydon to sing the duet “Islands in the Stream,” according to club steward Sarah Prescott.
A Hometown Venue With Family Ties
Jones chose the Porthcawl and Kenfig Hill RAFA Club for her milestone celebration because of her deep personal history with the location. Both of her parents were long-standing members of the club, and Jones frequented the venue during her childhood, where she took her first guitar lesson, according to Prescott. The private gathering required careful planning to keep details under wraps before guests began arriving on Saturday night. Prescott noted that staff members were unaware of the scale of the event until attendees started coming through the door.
Co-Stars Join the Celebration Behind the Bar and On Stage
The guest list brought together key members of the beloved BBC sitcom’s cast and crew. James Corden, who co-wrote the series and starred as Smithy opposite Jones’s character Nessa, stepped behind the bar to pour pints of Guinness for guests. Corden also took to the microphone to perform Billy Paul’s “Me and Mrs Jones.” Later in the evening, Jones and Brydon delivered a live rendition of Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers’ “Islands in the Stream,” recreating a musical moment associated with the program. Additional attendees included cast members Alison Steadman and Melanie Walters, alongside writer and collaborator Steve Speirs.
Menu Highlights and Local Impact
Guests enjoyed champagne, flowing drinks, birthday cupcakes, floral arrangements supplied by the Little Floral Boutique, and a spread of food that included curry and chips requested by Jones. Music during the evening was provided by the band The Kettleheads. Following the party, Prescott stated that the venue has experienced a surge in new booking enquiries, remarking that the high-profile celebration has successfully put the RAFA club back on the map. Jones’s team subsequently sent a message stating that the actress was utterly delighted and felt the party exceeded her expectations.
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