10 TV Shows Whose Leads Are The Worst Character

Gavin & Stacey is one of the most beloved British sitcoms of the 21st century, a warm love story between a guy from Essex and a girl from Wales, whose relationship unfolds over three seasons and a few Christmas specials, encapsulating their highs and lows, from whirlwind romance to domestic travails.

The problem is, no one really watched it for that. It was a sitcom first and foremost, and we were there for the laughs. These were provided by the couple’s best pals Smithy and Nessa, and their families, stacked with ringers like Rob Brydon and Alison Steadman. They weren’t provided by Stacey so much, and they certainly weren’t provided by Gavin.

Poor Matthew Horne was given little to do in the show beyond look exasperated by the latest setback in his fairytale love story, and to react to those around him, particularly the boisterous antics of Smithy. He’s played by James Corden, who co-wrote the show with Ruth Jones as Nessa; unsurprisingly, these two get the lion’s share of the funny stuff.

There’s no show without Gavin, of course, but he’s not the main point of interest for any viewer save, perhaps, Mr and Mrs Horne. Joanna Page, as Stacey, manages to milk a lot more out of similarly meagre material.