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​The Real Baby Neil From 'Gavin And Stacey' Is All Grown Up

​The Real Baby Neil From 'Gavin And Stacey' Is All Grown Up

Both Baby Neil and the actor that played him have turned 10 – a true 'mind blown' moment if ever there was one

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

After Gavin and Stacey wrapped in 2010, we were all left with a Barry Island-shaped hole in our hearts. Calling it quits after just 20 episodes, the show went out on a high, leaving its stars to move on to other things.

James Corden, of course, went on to become one of Britain's biggest exports - now living it up in the States presenting The Late Late Show.

But what of his on-screen son, wee Baby Neil? Well, BBC Three tweeted to point that the nipper would now actually be 10 - a true 'mind blown' moment if ever there was one, as proven by Corden's reaction:

And funnily enough, there's also a boy called Lewis Merchant who just turned 10 - which is no coincidence, as he actually played Baby Neil.

Speaking to LADbible, his mum, Emily, said that he enjoys telling people about his famous past. I mean, if anything gives you bragging rights, it's definitely that.

Lewis is now 10 years old (
Emily Merchant)

"He was actually the baby in the Christmas special, so he was the first baby used as baby Neil," Emily said.

"He does like to tell people that he was the famous baby Neil - especially at Christmas as well.

"I think as he and his friends are getting older they're allowed to watch that sort of stuff now, so a lot of his friends have seen it, and they're like 'Oh yeah, there you are'.

Emily Merchant

"It's on every Christmas so it's really nice for everyone to see it as well because it's one of those things that's like Only Fools and Horses, The Royle Family and other Christmas specials that we all love.

"Gavin and Stacey is going to be one of those that's always on TV at Christmas."

In the classic episode, Baby Neil's dad, Smithy, and Nessa's partner, Dave, add to their ongoing feud by gifting the kid with some fairly loaded Christmas presents.

BBC

Despite the fact that Dave says he's already given Baby Neil a Cardiff City top, Smithy gives him West Ham gear - which Emily and Lewis amazingly still own.

Emily Merchant

"It's the actual one," she explained. "It was a gift after the show was filmed."

But when it comes to Lewis, it's a case of neither Cardiff nor West Ham, but Swansea City FC.

"He loves football. He's a massive Swansea fan and even used to be in the academy. He's a brilliant winger."

In fact, he's been a Swansea supporter even since his early days, including when he was moonlighting as Baby Neil.

Emily added: "On the day that the show was filmed it actually happened that underneath his costume he's wearing a Swansea City babygrow.

ITV

"That was a coincidence - it just happened to be what he was wearing that day."

And the question on everyone's lips - England or Wales?

"He supports Wales," Emily revealed, happily.

Atta boy, stay true to your roots.

Happy birthday to both Lewis and his on-screen alter-ego, Baby Neil.

Featured Image Credit: Emily Merchant

Topics: uk tv, gavin and stacey, UK Entertainment