Last updated: 25 November 2009
Joanna Page is instantly recognisable as the eponymous character from hit BBC series Gavin & Stacey.
Born in Mumbles, Page applied to drama school and after completing her A Levels was accepted into RADA. Before she completed her course at the prestigious academy she was offered a role in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie at the National Theatre, cast alonsgide Fiona Shaw.
In 1999 she appeared in the film Miss Julie as a servant and also in the BBC adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel David Copperfield, as the character Dora Spenlow.
2001 brought small roles in Welsh film Very Annie Mary alongside Jonathan Pryce and Ioan Gruffudd, and From Hell, featuring Johnny Depp and Ian Holm.
Page starred in British hit film Love Actually in 2003, playing Judy alongside Martin Freeman's John. The pair star as stand-ins for the sex scenes in a movie, a tongue-in-cheek part of the film that was completely removed from the censored version of the DVD release.
Page married actor James Thornton in December 2003; the couple had previously co-starred, but never met on-set, in David Copperfield. A year later she starred in television series Mine All Mine as Candy Vivaldi and Making Waves as Rosie Bowen.
In 2005 she played Marion Chumley in BBC serial To the Ends of the Earth, based on William Golding's trilogy, and Diane in BBC television drama Gideon's Daughter, written and directed by Stephen Poliakoff.
Having contemplated giving up her acting career, the script for Gavin & Stacey landed on Page's doorstep and transformed the Welsh actress into a household name. She was nominated for the Best Female Comedy Newcomer award at the British Comedy Awards in 2007.
In 2008 she starred in the stage production of Neil LaBute's comedy Fat Pig, alongside Robert Webb and Kris Marshall, in London's West End.
Page appeared in pantomime in Wimbledon over the 2008 festive period playing Cinderella opposite Gareth Gates as Prince Charming, and starred in that year's Gavin & Stacey Christmas special.
November 2009 saw the return of Gavin & Stacey - the third and final series of the hit comedy - in which she reprised the role of Stacey.
See also
Elsewhere on the BBC
Elsewhere on the web
Musical theatre
A song and dance
From Maria to the Phantom, how Welsh stars have brought song to the stage.
