AceShowbiz - Just days after the emotional series finale of "Gavin and Stacey", which drew a record 12.3 million viewers, actress Ruth Jones is stepping back into Nessa's trademark black bob wig and leather skirt. On New Year's Day, she will read Radio 4's Shipping Forecast as part of the program's centenary celebration.

"Nessa has got quite a colourful history and one of her jobs was on the high seas," Jones explained. "The Shipping Forecast was always very important and useful to her."

The final episode of "Gavin and Stacey" featured a heartwarming moment when Smithy (James Corden) proposed to Nessa, preventing her from returning to work on the ships. The episode became one of the highest-rated Christmas specials in over a decade.

Despite previous vows not to write another episode of the hit comedy, Jones and Corden have hinted at possible future collaborations. They are also working on a book about the show titled "When Gavin Met Stacey and Everything in Between: A Story Of Love And Friendship".

Nessa's return for the Shipping Forecast centenary marks the first time a character from "Gavin and Stacey" has appeared again since the finale. The celebration will also include appearances by Julie Hesmondhalgh, Stephen Fry, Adrian Dunbar, and Dame Ellen MacArthur, who will share historic shipping forecasts and personal memories throughout the day.

The Shipping Forecast has been an integral part of British maritime history for a century, providing essential weather information to sailors and coastal communities. It is produced by the Met Office on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.