Maddie, who has worked at Fratello’s restaurant in Swindon for five years, had been expecting a normal Tuesday night on November 25, when she came face to face with one of her TV heroes.
The surprise visit from Alison Steadman, who is best known for playing ‘Pamela Shipman’ in the hit TV sitcom ‘Gavin and Stacey’, left several staff members at Fratello’s on Victoria Road “speechless.”
Steadman, 79, starred in the sitcom alongside writers James Cordon and Ruth Jones from 2007 until 2024, and its final episode, which aired on Christmas day 2024, was watched by 12.3 million viewers.
Speaking to the Swindon Advertiser, staff member Maddie said: “It was just like a normal Tuesday night at Fratello’s when I found out she was upstairs.
“I grew up watching this lady on TV, I’m a huge fan.
“It took a minute to realise who she was but me and a couple of colleagues were so excited.
“I got to meet her and have my photo taken with her. I asked her how the food was and I told her that I had grown up watching her. I was a bit nervous.
TV star Alison Steadman (centre) pictured with Angelo, Maddie, Ellie-May and Tanya (Image: Fratello’s)
“She was so lovely, exactly what you’d expect. It was very surreal and unexpected.”
Although this was Maddie’s first time meeting a celebrity face to face, Fratello’s has been known to have a few famous visitors in the past.
The Chase star Anne Hegarty was previously seen dining at the restaurant during her stint in the Wyvern Theatre’s 2022 pantomime.
Despite TV character Pam’s “strict vegetarian” pretence on Gavin and Stacey, Maddie revealed that Alison did not stick to the vegetarian menu.
“I think she ordered a risotto or chicken, I can’t really remember that well because I was just so overwhelmed,” added Maddie.
Alison Steadman is best known for playing Pamela Shipman in hit sitcom ‘Gavin and Stacey’ (Image: Ian West/PA Wire)
This is not the first time Alison Steadman has visited Swindon.
In November 2017, the actress dropped in to Drove Primary School in Swindon to read pupils her children’s book ‘Spider!’ about a child named Rafael who learns to love the eight-legged creatures.
The story is inspired by a real child of the same name – the son of fellow actress Sally Rogers – who she met on the set of The Syndicate in 2013.
Speaking to the Adver at the time, she revealed she has been visiting Swindon since her early 20s, after her sister moved to Swindon in the 1960s.
Her four great-great-nephews all attended Croft Primary School in the town.