BBC Gavin and Stacey's Neil the baby actor looks unrecognisable 16 years after on-screen debut

Gavin and Stacey's Neil the baby actor, Oscar Hartland, looked unrecognisable as he joined his co-stars for a reunion at the Gavin and Stacey: The Finale screening in London. The cast of the popular BBC sitcom gathered together ahead of the much-anticipated Christmas special, which fans have been eagerly awaiting for five years.

The beloved series will conclude on Christmas Day. Oscar, who has portrayed Nessa (Ruth Jones) and Smithy's (James Corden) son since he was a child, celebrated his 16th birthday this week and reunited with his on-screen parents at the screening.

His character, Neil, was conceived following a one-night stand between Nessa and Smithy amid their tumultuous relationship. He first appeared on screens in the season two finale in 2008 and last made an appearance in the 2019 Christmas special.

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Oscar was barely recognisable as he walked the red carpet in a white T-shirt, baggy jeans and a red star-patterned cardigan. Away from his role as Neil, Oscar is focusing on his music career.

He is the guitarist and co-frontman of South Wales band Redwood City and last year he even competed on The Voice Kids as a solo artist, reports the Mirror.

The actor had previously shared with The Sun: "I grew up knowing I was Neil The Baby, but it was after the Christmas special (when he was 10) that my life literally turned around. I went from a kid that was in a show when he was a baby to a kid in a TV – even going into the supermarket was mad."

Fans are eagerly awaiting the Christmas Day airing of the much-loved show at 9pm, which promises to deliver 1 hour and 35 minutes of festive joy, concluding at 10.35pm. This year's special teases new developments, with viewers particularly keen to uncover the truth behind the long-speculated fishing trip involving Uncle Bryn and Jason, a storyline that has been kept under wraps since its mention.

Since its inception in 2007, the mystery has sparked numerous fan theories, yet the details have remained elusive. Additionally, the episode is set to reveal the aftermath of Nessa's (played by Ruth Jones) proposal to Smithy (James Corden), leaving fans on tenterhooks for five years.

In a dramatic turn of events, Matthew Horne, who portrays Gavin, sustained a head injury during a live performance of The Tempest at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London. The incident occurred just ten minutes into Tuesday night's show, causing a temporary pause in the production.

Horne, after hitting his forehead on a stage prop, took a 15-minute break before bravely deciding to continue with the evening's performance.