Ruth Jones

Ruth Alexandra Elizabeth Jones (born 22 September 1966) is a Welsh actress, comedian, writer and producer. She co-wrote and co-starred in the BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey (2007–2010, 2019, 2024), for which she won the BAFTA Award for Best Female Comedy Performance in 2025. She also co-wrote and starred in the Sky One comedy-drama Stella (2012–2017), for which she was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Female Comedy Performance and the BAFTA Cymru Award for Best Screenwriter.

Jones has also appeared in various other television series, including Fat Friends (2000–2005), Little Britain (2003–2007), Nighty Night (2004–2005), Saxondale (2006–2007), Little Dorrit (2008) and The Street (2009). Jones was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2014 New Year Honours, for services to entertainment.

Early life and education Ruth Alexandra Elizabeth Jones was born on 22 September 1966 in Bridgend, Glamorgan, Wales. Her father was a solicitor for the British Steel Corporation, Port Talbot, and her mother was a GP. Thereafter, she undertook temporary clerical work.

She considered giving up acting and instead training to be a solicitor. In 1990, however, the comedian and pantomime producer Stan Stennett offered her an Equity contract, shifting scenery and playing a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (Michelangelo) in Dick Whittington at the Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl where she had performed in school musicals.

In October 2018 Jones returned to the stage, after a 12-year absence, in the new play Nightingale by William Gaminara, produced by Jenny Topper at the Theatre Royal, Bath.

In Summer 2024 Jones played the role of Mother Superior in the West End production of Sister Act at the Dominion Theatre, alongside Beverley Knight, Alexandra Burke and Lizzie Bea.

Television Her first television job was an unbroadcast sketch show for BBC Wales, which included Rob Brydon and Steve Speirs. Soon after, she joined an improvisational theatre group in Bath. That group included Julia Davis, with whom Jones later appeared in Nighty Night and Gavin & Stacey.

Jones appeared on television as Kelly in four series of ITV's comedy Fat Friends, where she met James Corden. Afterwards she appeared in several BBC comedies, playing Myfanwy in Little Britain, Magz in Saxondale and Linda in Nighty Night.

In 2008 Jones co-founded Tidy Productions with producer David Peet. The company produced the series Jones presented on BBC Radio Wales in 2008–9, Ruth Jones' Sunday Brunch.

Once again teaming up with James Corden, together they wrote and starred in the final episode of Gavin & Stacey airing on Christmas Day 2024 on BBC One, 17 years after the show was first broadcast.

Writer In April 2018 Jones's first novel, Never Greener, was published by Bantam Press. Based on a screenplay she'd written in 2004, it tells the story of a rekindled affair and the dangers of taking second chances. She signed a two-book deal with Transworld after a bidding war between ten publishing companies. The novel went into The Sunday Times''' bestseller list at number seven after just three days of sales, before reaching the number-one slot for two consecutive weeks.

Jones' second novel, Us Three, was published by Bantam Press in September 2020. It follows the story of three friends whose futures become unpredictable after an unexpected turn in events.

Her third novel is Love Untold, which was published by Penguin Books in 2022.

Personal life Jones married David Peet, a television and radio producer, in 1999. Jones is step-mother to three children from Peet's previous marriage. In June 2025 she announced that the couple had parted in 2024 and were now legally separated, but remained good friends; since the separation, Jones has been living in London and Peet in Canada.

In 2010, Jones took part in Channel 4's Comedy Gala, a benefit show held in aid of Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, filmed live at the O2 Arena in London on 30 March.

In January 2019, Jones was the guest for BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs. Her favourite music track was "Smooth" by Santana featuring Rob Thomas. Her choice of Bible was a family Welsh Bible, her own book choice was Halliwell's Film Guide and her luxury item was the back catalogue of The Archers.

Recognition and awards

Jones was judged the Best Female Comedy Newcomer at the 2007 British Comedy Awards, and was also nominated for Best Television Comedy Actress. In November 2022, she was conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of the University of The Open University by The Open University in Wales, at the International Convention Centre Wales in Newport.

Jones was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2014 New Year Honours for services to entertainment.

Jones was awarded the BAFTA Cymru Sian Phillips Special Recognition Award in 2009. In 2012, Jones received a nomination for the British Academy Television Award for Best Female Comedy Performance for her performance in Stella.

In 2025 Jones was awarded the British Academy Television Award for Best Female Comedy Performance, for her role as Nessa in Gavin & Stacey. In March 2025, First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan awarded her the First Minister's Special Award at the St David Awards, also for her role as Nessa.

Filmography Films Year Title Character ProductionRef. 1996 Emma Bates' Maid Miramax Films 1998 The Theory of Flight Becky Fine Line Features 1999 East Is East Peggy Film4 2002 Heartlands Mandy Miramax 2018 Nativity Rocks! Farmer Beatie Entertainment One

Television BAFTA Award for Best Female Performance in a Comedy, 2025 2006–2007 Saxondale Magz BBC Two Series 1 and 2 2006 Mayo Cal Andrews BBC One 2005–2006 I'm With Stupid Jean BBC Three 2005 Born and Bred Ruby Moss BBC One Episode – The Element of Surprise 2004–2005 Nighty Night Linda BBC 2004 The Baby Juice Express Gladys 2003–2006 Little Britain Myfanwy BBC Three 2003 Midsomer Murders Rachael Rose ITV Episode – Bad TidingsRoger Roger Angelica BBC One Episode "Freedom's Just Another Word for Nothing Left to Lose"EastEnders Jenny Morgan BBC One Dot's Story 2002 Heartlands Mandy 2001 Tales from Pleasure Beach Mandy BBC Two Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years Sharon Bott BBC 2000–2005 Fat Friends Kelly Chadwick ITV 2000 Human Remains Elaine BBC Episode "All Over My Glasses"A Likeness in Stone Joan Poole 1998 Picking Up the Pieces Marie ITV As Time Goes By Gilly BBC One Episode "Pardon?" 1997 Drovers' Gold Mary BBC1

Guest appearances

Writing Screen Year Title Episodes NotesRef. 2012–2017 Stella Six series 2007–2009, 2019, 2024 Gavin & Stacey Three series and three Christmas specials co-written with James Corden 2009 Ar Y Tracs Television movie 2006 The Chase 1 episode 2005 Fat Friends 1 episode Series 4 Episode 3 "Angels Delight"

Books

Year Title NotesRef. 2018 Never Greener A passionate love affair that highlights why second chances should not always be given, or taken Published by Bantam. 2020 Us Three Three girls experience a turn of events, leaving their futures uncertain Published by Bantam. 2022 Love Untold A story of conflict between four generations of Welsh women. Published by Bantam. 2025 By Your Side Published by Bantam.

ProductionGavin & Stacey (Series 1, 6 episodes: BBC3 and BBC2 2007)Gavin & Stacey (Series 2, 7 episodes: BBC3 2008)Gavin & Stacey (Christmas Special: December 2008)Gavin & Stacey (Series 3, 6 episodes: BBC1 2009,2010)Ar Y Tracs Exec. Producer Tidy Productions S4C 2009)

DiscographyIslands in the Stream'' (cover version for Comic Relief)