Ruth Jones

Ruth Jones

Author: BBC Radio 4 December 28, 2024 Duration: 14:47

Oh! What’s occurrin'? Good question…

This week’s Profile, with Stephen Smith, is focusing in on a woman born in Bridgend in south Wales, who loved to participate in musical theatre as a child – and went on to create one of Britain’s best-loved sitcoms.

With a degree in drama under her belt from the University of Warwick, Ruth Jones initially found work at BBC Wales in both TV and radio comedy. She soon branched out into theatre, before gaining a role in the popular ITV series Fat Friends.

It was there that she would work with James Corden for the first time. But not the last. The pair went onto create BBC Three hit, Gavin & Stacey in 2007. Seventeen years on, the sitcom has just provided us with one last trip to Barry Island and Billericay.

So grab a chicken bhuna, lamb bhuna, prawn bhuna, mushroom rice, bag of chips, keema naan, nine poppadoms and listen to this episode of Profile on the woman known for her iconic role as Nessa.

Production Team Presenter: Stephen Smith Producers: Ben Cooper and Diane Richardson Editors: Ben Mundy and Sarah Wadeson Sound: John Scott Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele

Credits Gavin & Stacey 2008 Christmas Special: BBC / Baby Cow Productions Little Britain: BBC Barry Islands In The Stream: BBC / Comic Relief / Mercury Records


Each week, Profile from BBC Radio 4 takes a single name from the global conversation and builds a detailed portrait, moving far beyond the headlines. This isn't a simple biography or a news recap. Instead, through careful documentary storytelling and personal journal excerpts where available, the podcast constructs a nuanced examination of character and motive. You’ll hear from colleagues, critics, and sometimes the subjects themselves, piecing together what drives and defines the people shaping our world. The focus rests firmly on influence, whether in politics, the arts, science, or social movements, exploring how an individual's background and choices ripple through society and culture. Listening to this podcast feels like gaining a deeper, more textured understanding of the figures you think you know, revealing the contradictions and convictions behind the public image. It’s a thoughtful half-hour that challenges first impressions, asking what truly lies behind a name in the news.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Profile
Podcast Episodes
Michele Dougherty [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:47
South African – born space physicist Michele Dougherty has been awarded the honorary title of Astronomer Royal. She becomes the first woman to hold the title in the 350 – year -old history of the role. Although her all-g…
Cindy Rose [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:55
From Disney to Microsoft, via Vodafone and Virgin Media, Cindy Rose has been a top executive at some of the world’s best known companies. Born and raised in the US, one of her early passions was figure skating – a sport…
Piers Litherland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:45
Piers Litherland has been called a modern-day Indiana Jones. He’s a former banker-turned-archaeologist who led the discovery of the lost tomb of Tutankhamun's relative, Thutmose II. As a child, Litherland was obsessed wi…
Zohran Mamdani [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:36
Zohran Mamdani is the Democratic candidate for New Yok City mayor after a stunning victory in the primary race. If he goes on to win the mayoral election in November he will become the first Muslim and Indian American to…
Charli xcx [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:37
Charlie xcx is known to fans for her avant-garde, innovative approach to pop music. For many, the singer-songwriter, who’s won 5 BRIT awards and 3 Grammys, is one of the most influential figures in 21st century pop. Born…
Blaise Metreweli [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:08
Current Director-General of Technology and Innovation, Blaise Metreweli, was recently appointed as the new chief of the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service, MI6. She’s the first woman to assume the role. She attended Westmi…
Liz Carr [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:25
Actress and disability campaigner, Liz Carr, is probably best known for her role as forensic examiner, Clarissa Mullery, in the TV crime drama, Silent Witness. She’s also done comedy, theatre and even written a musical,…
Susie Wiles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:41
Donald Trump calls Susie Wiles the “ice maiden” for her ability to stay cool under pressure. It’s an invaluable skill in her role as White House Chief of Staff - responsible for who has access to the President. Aged 68,…
Tom Fletcher [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:28
Tom Fletcher heads the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and has been at the forefront of recent efforts to deliver aid into Gaza. Last week, he was criticised for making inaccurate claims a…
Rosemary Coogan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:32
In April 2024 Rosemary Coogan became only the third person from the UK to qualify as an astronaut after completing basic training with the European Space Agency (ESA). Originally from Northern Ireland, she excelled acade…