'Gavin & Stacey' stars Ruth Jones, Joanna Page honour late Margaret John

Ruth Jones and Joanna Page have paid tribute to late Gavin and Stacey cast member Margaret John.

Ahead of the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special, Jones and Page talked about working with John, who played Doris in the hit BBC series. She passed away in 2011.

In an interview with Barry Island Discs, Page said, "Working with Maggie John has got to be one of the highlights of Gavin & Stacey."

"I just love how her character got bigger and worse and saucier and sexier as the series went on," Page added.

However, Jones recalled the casting of John, saying, "I do remember when we were casting Gavin & Stacey and we had this character of Doris, the next-door neighbour who was a little bit rude. Chris Gernon, our director, said 'I know exactly the actress to play that part – it’s Maggie John.'"

Page revealed that she shot her first scene of the series with her, saying, "From, I think, the first series, I always remember filming it because it was my first scene as well. Getting off the bus, walking across the road and going “Alright Dor?” and then she gives me advice on what I should be like when I travel up to London to see Gavin, and she gives me a little bit of saucy advice."

"From that moment I just thought 'Oh my god, this woman is just so hilarious and lovely, and brilliant'," Page added.