Gavin and Stacey’s Joanna Page reveals new role which is worlds away from hit BBC comedy as final episode approaches

GAVIN and Stacey's Joanna Page has stepped into a brand new role, that is very different from the hit BBC comedy as the final episode approaches.

The final episode of Gavin and Stacey will air on Christmas Day on BBC One, and viewers will find out if Smithy and Nessa end up marrying after all.

It will be the last time we see Joanna as Stacey, but viewers won't have to wait long to see Joanna again, as just a few days later, the 47-year-old will appear on Graham Norton's Wheel of Fortune.

And after Christmas, she has an even wilder role in store, as she will present rather than play a character.

Joanna Page’s Wild Life will air in January. It will combine Joanna's love for creatures with her 'animal-magic' personality.

The star will have to quickly learn how to become a wildlife rescue volunteer and the three R’s: Rescue, Rehab, and Release.

Joanna trained for the role by working at Wildlife Aid, one of the UK’s leading wildlife hospitals.

During the programme, she learned how to look after the animals, muck out their cages, and perform animal triage, as well as how to work closely with qualified vets.

She will help hedgehogs, birds, reptiles and other mammals on the show.

“I’m so proud of this series and what I was able to achieve, said Joanna.

"I feel more equipped and excited to welcome wildlife into my own garden and can’t wait for viewers to see a different side to me.

"It’s also an amazingly educational series, I’m hoping that audiences will be able to go away and create little safe havens in their outdoor spaces for our wonderful wildlife species we have here across the UK”.

Helen Munson, Commissioning Editor for Daytime and Early Peak added: “We’re so excited to be bringing a brand new wildlife series to families across the country.

"Joanna is the perfect person to get involved in such a tough but rewarding experience and viewers are going to love watching her journey to becoming a fully-fledged wildlife volunteer.

"What a busy year she’s had!”

Duncan Gray and Antonia Hurford-Jones, the series' Executive Producers, concluded: “We were thrilled to have the chance to work with Joanna and the team at the Wildlife Aid Foundation.

"The series is a really entertaining watch but also makes you think twice about how to interact with the wildlife around us.”

Joanna Page's Wild Life is on January 6, BBC Two and iPlayer at 6.30pm.