Season 1 opens with Gavin Shipman living in Billericay in Essex with his parents Pam and Mick whilst Stacey West and her mother Gwen live in Barry in South Wales across the road from the widowed Gwen’s brother-in-law Bryn. Gavin and Stacey frequently speak on the phone through their work and decide to meet in London. Stacey brings her cynical friend Nessa and Gavin his slobbish mate Smithy.