Gavin and Stacey viewers couldn’t believe their eyes when one of the show’s iconic characters, Neil the baby, returned to screens on Wednesday night.
Fans of the BBC drama were eagerly waiting to see Gavin and Stacey: The Finale after the show’s final installment in 2019 ended with Nessa (Ruth Jones) proposing to Smithy (James Corden).
Nessa and Smithy’s son Neil, played by Oscar Hartland and now looking completely unrecognizable, revealed he was accepted onto a plumbing course at university in the emotional Christmas Day episode.
The star is now 17 and has played Neil, who was conceived from a one-night stand between Nessa and Smithy amid their tumultuous relationship, since he was a child.
He made his first appearance in the second season finale in 2008 and was last seen in the holiday special in 2019.
But who is Oscar Hartland? From a successful music career to his time as a child star, here MailOnline looks at the actor behind baby Neil, now that he’s a teenager.
Who is Oscar Hartland? From a successful music career to his time as a child star, here MailOnline looks at the actor behind baby Neil, now he’s a teenager.
He made his first appearance in the second season finale in 2008 and was last seen in the holiday special in 2019 (pictured with James Corden).
Oscar actually got involved in the hit comedy “completely by accident,” his mother, Kirsty Pritchard-Hartland, revealed in 2019.
she told him South Wales Argos: ‘A friend of ours told us that a producer was looking for a baby.
‘I sent Baby Cow Productions a picture of my son to see if they were interested. I didn’t think they would get back in touch. But a few days later they did it and called us.
My son was offered the role. There were also two other babies playing Neil.
Aside from his Gavin and Stacey hustle, Oscar has since turned his attention to music and was the guitarist and co-leader of South Wales band Redwood City.
Last year, the young musician even competed on The Voice Kids as a solo artist.
In May, Oscar left Redwood City to pursue a solo career and released his first single, ‘Sunrise’ in June.
He announced last week that more music is on the horizon, as he posted an image of himself in a recording studio along with the caption: “I’m very happy to officially announce that there will be more songs in the new year!”
‘I can’t thank you and everyone at home anymore for the support you showed in my last releases. Putting my heart and soul on the line with the next ones. I love it x.’
The star is now 17 and has played Neil, who was conceived from a one-night stand between Nessa and Smithy amid their tumultuous relationship, since he was a child.
Gavin and Stacey viewers couldn’t believe their eyes when one of the show’s iconic characters, Neil the baby, returned to screens on Wednesday night.
He is pictured with his on-screen mom and dad on the beach in episode five of the third season (2009).
Oscar showed off his musical skills in the long-awaited finale when he sang a beautiful rendition of The Beatles’ Blackbird in the wedding scene.
In a cast Q&A, James Corden explained: “As we were writing this, Oscar appeared on The Voice and sang on The Voice, so we knew he could sing.
‘That’s where we actually had the idea for him to sing at the wedding. He does it so brilliantly, we were so proud of him and we love him. What a journey, from the baby to that!’
talking to wales online In 2022, the budding singer said: ‘Music is my thing right now, I love it.’ I want to do things like Guns n Roses, Queen and The Darkness. I also love to DJ, I have a few decks.’
He also regularly shares snippets of what he’s working on with his 14,000 followers on Instagram.
Aside from music, he now also plays for Caerphilly Rugby Club, where his nickname has become Neil and he “doesn’t mind” fans thinking that is his real name.
Reflecting on his past as an actor, Oscar has previously said The sun: ‘I grew up knowing it was Neil The Baby, but it was after the Christmas special (when I was 10) that my life literally took a turn.
“I went from being a kid on a show as a baby to a kid on TV; even going to the grocery store was crazy.”
Oscar showed off his musical skills in the long-awaited finale as he sang a beautiful rendition of The Beatles’ Blackbird in the wedding scene.
He returned in the 2019 Christmas special, which was his last appearance before the finale.
He also regularly shares snippets of what he’s working on with his 14,000 followers on Instagram.
He announced last week that more music is on the horizon, as he posted an image of himself in a recording studio.
Gavin and Stacey first aired on BBC Three in 2007 and spanned 20 episodes across three series.
In addition to James and Ruth, it made Mathew Horne and Joanna Page household names.
The final installment aired in a 90-minute special on Christmas Day this year after fans of the show called for the story to be ended.
In his first appearance in the finale, the teenager ran up to his mother while she was working in the arcade and yelled, “I came in!”
And he added: “To the university, to the plumbing course.” They accepted me! I go to university three days a week and work with my father the other two.’
Nessa asked, “Have you told your father?”
‘Not yet, I just found out!’ he responded.
Nessa said: ‘I’m proud of you, genuinely.’ Take what you want from the kidnappers.
Fans had to look twice when the youngster appeared on their television screens.
Last year, the young musician even competed on The Voice Kids as a solo artist.
Gavin and Stacey aired on BBC Three in 2007 and spanned 20 episodes across three series.
Oscar previously said: “I grew up knowing it was Neil The Baby, but it was after the Christmas special (when I was 10) that my life literally changed.”
Many took to X to say the same thing about the 17-year-old.
One asked on the platform: ‘OMG that’s Neil the baby!!?? #GavinYStacey.’
A second wrote: “Oh wow Neil, so big now.”
“NEIL THE BABY IS SO OLD,” a third said simply.
Another asked: ‘????????? ??????
A fourth said: “No way that’s Neil the baby.”
“The fact that baby Neil is a teenager now makes me feel incredibly old,” confessed a fifth.
Watch Gavin and Stacey: The Finale on BBC iPlayer.