Gavin Shipman is a fictional character in the television series Gavin & Stacey. He is one of the main characters and is portrayed by Mathew Horne.
Characterisation
Gavin Shipman is 28 and is an only child, who lives with his mother and father, in Billericay, Essex. His best friend Smithy, with whom Gavin plans to drink every variety of beer in the world, lives just down the street. He's known Smithy since primary school. He a supporter of Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and is often seen wearing his Spurs shirt. His wife is Stacey West and his Father is Mick Shipman and his Mother is Pam Shipman.
Gavin is a salt-of-the-Earth bloke - loyal, funny and big-hearted - and the sort of guy that anyone would want as a friend. Gavin is gorgeous, but doesn't really know it, and he's never been in love - until now.
Relationships
Prior to Gavin's relationship with Stacey, not much is known about his sexual or romantic past - all we know is that he lost his virginity at 14 'between two wheelie bins at [Smithy's] mum's house'.
He loves Stacey and could never think of leaving her, and stays adamantly loyal when they are confronted with the eventuality of not having children.
Him and Smithy, or "Smithster", have been friends forever, and Smithy has become rather dependent on "Gavlaaar". He often becomes over-emotional when Gavin suggests anything to do with moving away or not going on a night out with him. Gavin is usually exasperated at Smithy but still loves him, despite his singing phonecalls and territoriality over his food.
When he gets married to Stacey, his best mate Smithy finds it hard to accept that Gavin now has more than one priority in life. In Series 3, Gavin moves to Wales with Stacey, meaning he is further away than ever from vvvvvvv Smithy.