BBC Gavin and Stacey's Mathew Horne choked up as he announces colleague death

Mathew Horne was visibly emotional as he revealed to audiences that he'd just learned of a Gavin and Stacey crew member's death.

The 46 year old actor, is well known for his role as Gavin Shipman in the beloved BBC sitcom alongside Joanna Page, James Corden, and Ruth Jonessince its 2007 debut.

While recently being interviewed on stage for an In Conversation With session in Taunton, Somerset, when he suddenly became overcome with emotion.

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The television star explained to the crowd that he'd only just received the devastating news through the cast's WhatsApp group.

Horne revealed, via The Sun: "Sorry. I got distracted. Earlier on... we had a driver on the finale called Rob and he was in his early 40s... and I found out via the WhatsApp group earlier that he has passed away and I got slightly distracted there."

He added: "It's really, really sad. I got distracted by losing Rob. He was a really lovely guy and he's left a four-year-old behind and that is really, really, really sad."

Horne went on to explain how the entire cast and crew had formed strong bonds after nearly two decades of working together, reports the Express.

He shared: "In 2019 before the Christmas special - part one of the finale if you like - aired, I lost my mother and Alison [Stedman, who played his onscreen mother Pam], really stepped up and she became my surrogate mother off screen as well.

"Whenever she texts me even now she signs it 'Mum'. And that is cool. That is so beautiful. And she says 'How are you, my little prince?' It means the world to me.'"

The final episode of Gavin and Stacey, which aired on Christmas Day last year, attracted a whopping 19.1 million viewers.

The series, first introduced in 2007 by creators James Corden and Ruth Jones, ended with the long-awaited confession of love between Smithy and Nessa, who finally tied the knot despite several obstacles along the way.

There has, however, been talk of potential spin-offs with other characters such as Dawn and Pete, played by Julia Davis and Adrian Scarborough respectively, keeping the spirit of Gavin and Stacey alive.

Gavin and Stacey is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.