Ruth Jones Breaks Silence on Reality TV Rumours and New Role
In a candid interview on the latest episode of The Jonathan Ross Show, actress and writer Ruth Jones, 59, has firmly dismissed swirling rumours about her potential participation in two of Britain's most popular reality television programmes. The Gavin and Stacey star, who appears on the ITV chat show to promote her new series The Other Bennet Sister, addressed speculation head-on during her conversation with host Jonathan Ross, 65.
No Plans for Strictly Come Dancing or Celebrity Traitors
When questioned by Ross about whether she would ever consider signing up for Strictly Come Dancing, Jones was unequivocal in her response. 'I've been and watched Strictly, and it is amazing what people do,' she stated. 'But it is absolutely not for me. They would have to pay me an absolutely ridiculous amount of money - there isn't a figure.' Her remarks put to rest long-standing fan theories about her joining the BBC dance competition.
Furthermore, Jones tackled rumours that she had been recruited for the second series of Celebrity Traitors, the star-studded spin-off of the hit psychological reality show. 'There was a big rumour about me doing it as well,' she revealed. 'The thing is I had sort of been asked about doing it and I love the show and I think it's amazing, but then I thought I'll have to put on a wet suit and I'll have to go in one of them lochs, I'll get bitten by the midges. I'd rather sit in my pyjamas and watch everyone else.' This comes after Jonathan Ross himself participated in the first series as a Traitor, adding a personal touch to the discussion.
Exploring The Other Bennet Sister and Reflecting on Gavin and Stacey
Turning to her latest project, Jones discussed her role in The Other Bennet Sister, a series that reimagines Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice from the perspective of the often-overlooked middle daughter, Mary Bennet. 'It's Pride and Prejudice, but told from a different angle,' she explained. 'In Pride and Prejudice there are five daughters, the middle daughter is Mary who is considered to be quite boring and bookish, and didn't want to fit into society and get married. I play Mrs. Bennet and my Mrs Bennett is perhaps a little harsher than Mrs Bennets you've seen before.'
Jones also took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, reflecting on her BAFTA win for her iconic role as Nessa Jenkins in Gavin and Stacey, which she co-wrote with James Corden. She shared a humorous anecdote about the moment she realised she had won. 'Oh gosh. Well, I didn't hear my name properly. The only reason I knew I'd won was because Rob Brydon and Jo Page were quite hysterical. They were going, 'Yes yes!' and it was a bit like the barn dance episode in Gavin and Stacey when Rob Brydon goes, 'Surprise surprise!'' Jones added that she had taken her shoes off, expecting a long night, and ended up accepting the award barefoot, which she found 'very freeing.'
Funny Fan Encounters and Behind-the-Scenes Insights
The actress recounted one of the strangest places she has been recognised by a fan of Gavin and Stacey. 'The weirdest place I had it was at a funeral,' she said. 'We were in the line-up after the service - it was my mother-in-law's funeral. I was very sad, because I was very fond of my mother-in-law, and then this gentleman came up and went, 'What's occurring?' and I went, 'Well, just mourning my dear mother-in-law, that's what's occuring' but it's funny. I think people think it's the first time they've said it to you.'
Jones also provided intriguing behind-the-scenes details about her work. She explained why Nessa and Smithy never shared a kiss on Gavin and Stacey, stating, 'James Corden and I couldn't bear the thought of kissing each other, so that was kind of written into the script. We're like brother and sister, so it would've been strange.' Additionally, she recalled an amusing experience with an intimacy coach on another production, noting, 'All I had to do was sit fully clothed and the other person was fully clothed, and we were sat there and we had to have a little peck on the cheek and we had to have an intimacy coach for it. And they give you a danger word, a trigger word, a safe word!'
Other guests featured on this episode of The Jonathan Ross Show include Sarah Michelle Gellar, Kathryn Newton, Alison Hammond, Richard Ayoade, as well as Jesse Cartlidge and Mathew Cartlidge of The Molotovs, making for a lively and entertaining installment.
