Gavin and Stacey star Mathew Horne's feud with James Corden - cheap videos and hit by train

Since first aired in 2007, Mathew Horne's life has changed massively.

The iconic comedy series is expected to return for another special this year after the last episode in 2019 ended on a huge cliffhanger. Co-writers James Corden and Ruth Jones have reportedly been - though Ruth, who played Nessa, said it was just a 'rumour'.

As talk of a comeback swirls, Mathew Horne - best known for portraying sweet Essex lad Gavin - has been flogging personalised video clips for £87 on Cameo to fans of the show. Here, we take a look at the 45-year-old actor's life since the show thrust him into the spotlight over a decade ago...

Before being cast as Gavin, Mathew appeared in The Catherine Tate Show in a number of roles, most notably as the foul-mouthed Nan's grandson Jamie. Then when he joined the stars of the comedy series, he became joined at the hip with James Corden, who played Smithy, and one year confessed to spending 263 days together.

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But their partnership hit stumbling blocks when their comedy sketch show Horne and Corden was slated by critics, while their flop film Lesbian Vampire Killers was slammed. Their disastrous presenting role at the Brits put a huge strain on their bromance - with both actors later claiming it was "so poor" they couldn't even watch it back.

They went their separate ways amid claims of a bitter falling out and stopped speaking for a few months as Mathew admitted he "retreated" after the backlash. Mathew declined to appear on James' episode of Life Stories, but in 2016 claimed there was no animosity, saying: "Jealousy isn't something I do - I am not a jealous person. I am thrilled and about the success he is having."

The actor went on to appear as the headmaster in Bad Education, Dad's Army: The Missing Episodes and Agatha Raisin. In 2018, he was hit by a train following a night out at a pub but miraculously escaped with just a scratch. A friend said it was a "miracle" he was still alive. In September 2021, the actor married set designer Celina Bassili in a beautiful ceremony in Norway.

Now, fans of Mathew can send and receive messages from the star on Cameo, where he films himself making personalised clips in exchange for cash - and often jokes about being 'Gav-lar'. His videos go for £87 and show lovers can also message him for £4 - but they aren't guaranteed a reply.

In one video to an engaged couple called Gary and , he quips: "Gaz-a-lar, Adele-a-lar. Ten years together and you are getting married. What took you so long Gary? Come on man." Joking about his own wedding, Mathew added: "Hope you have an even better day than mine. You slags."

In another clip, he tells a fan whose family contacted him: "I just wanted to wish you a very happy wedding day. I hear you are a huge Gavin and Stacey fan so they got you this message from me." One fan said: "Mathew is amazing. Best gift ever," while another said: "You are a legend thank you. And still so so dreamy."