Millions were reminded of the comedy duo Hale and Pace during Gavin and Stacey’s Christmas special, watched by over 12 million viewers. Character Nessa mentions once renting a room from them, reviving interest in their careers. Active primarily in the 80s and 90s, Gareth Hale and Norman Pace gained fame with their self-titled show from 1988 to 1998, featuring sketch comedy and musical numbers. After the show’s end, they have appeared occasionally in various projects, with Hale focusing on television and Pace on theatre. Their modern appearances include a 2018 cameo in Benidorm and stage performances, with Pace expressing a preference for live theatre.
Millions of TV viewers were reminded of beloved comedy duo Hale and Pace when they were unexpectedly mentioned in Gavin and Stacey’s Christmas special.
More than 12 million Brits watched the final episode of the hit sitcom, in which characters Smithy (James Corden) and Nessa (Ruth Jones) finally got married.
During the special, Nessa said she once rented a room from Hale and Pace, one of many anecdotes from her illustrious past.
Gareth Hale and Norman Pace were a comedy duo who performed across the UK in the 80s and 90s.
Their success was such that they were given their own titled show, which lasted for 10 years until 1998.
MailOnline investigates where Hale and Pace are now, as Nessa brings them back into the public consciousness.
Millions of TV viewers were reminded of beloved comedy duo Hale and Pace when they were unexpectedly mentioned during Gavin and Stacey’s Christmas special.
Gareth Hale and Norman Pace were a comedy duo who performed across the UK in the 80s and 90s (photographed in 2018)
During the special, Nessa said she once rented a room from Hale and Pace, one of many anecdotes from her colorful past.
Hale and Paice met at a teacher training college in south-east London, but after five years of teaching, they decided to pursue a career in entertainment in the 1970s.
They performed for seven years, mainly at the Tramshed in Woolwich, London, and then had a series of radio shows on BBC Radio 4.
They had their big break in the 1980s, appearing in shows like “The Entertainers” and “Push Up Daisies” in 1984.
Two years later, they were shown in a one-off Christmas special on London Weekend Television.
The success of this special earned them a self-titled show that debuted in 1988.
The series was primarily a combination of sketch and stand-up comedy, and included at least one musical number performed by Hale and/or Pace in each episode.
Some of the more memorable characters include bouncers The Two Rons and children’s TV presenters Billy and Johnny.
The show ended in 1998, and Hale and Pace have largely disbanded since then, except for occasional co-stars over the years.
Gareth Hale and Norman Pace were a comedy duo who performed across the UK in the 80s and 90s
Their success was so great that they were given their own self-titled show, which ran for 10 years until 1998. Noel and Liam Gallagher have been photographed wearing costumes.
The series was primarily a combination of sketch and stand-up comedy, and included at least one musical number performed by Hale and/or Pace in each episode.
The show ended in 1998, and Hale and Pace have largely broken up since then, with the exception of occasional co-stars over the years (filmed together in 2009)
They appeared on The Armando Iannucci Show in 2001 and in the 2007 Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant Christmas Special.
Their most recent appearance as a duo was in 2018, when they appeared in several episodes of Benidorm, playing financial fraud investigators.
Apart from Hale and Pace, Gareth starred in Channel 5 drama Family Affair from 2003 to 2005.
He has also appeared on shows such as “Casualty” and “Father Brown.” His most recent small screen appearance was as Grandpa Molly in the 2021 Nickelodeon children’s series Goldies Oldies.
Meanwhile, Norman has mainly focused on theatrical work in recent years.
Gareth continued to work in television and appeared on the show The Royal in 2009.
Meanwhile, Norman has mainly focused on theatrical work in recent years
Norman has been married to his wife Beverly since 1976 and they have three children (pictured together in 2002).
He starred at the Adelphi Theater in Chicago’s West End and also appeared in productions of One Man, Two Guvnors and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
In 2024, he appeared as Claude in The Baker’s Wife at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London.
In a 2018 interview with On: Yorkshire Magazine, Normal said he preferred the stage to the screen.
He said, “I prefer the stage.” It’s a party atmosphere and if you make a mistake you have seven more chances to fix it that week.
“There’s even more pressure on TV. When the camera is in front of you, in your face, the pressure is immense.”
Norman has been married to his wife Beverly since 1976 and they have three children.
