Barry resident Kaz Barrett, known as Knock Off Nessa, has found herself thrust into the spotlight as a professional Nessa impersonator, thanks to her striking resemblance to the beloved character from the hit TV show Gavin and Stacey. Since the announcement of the show’s final episode, Kaz’s life has been turned upside down as demand for her Nessa act has skyrocketed.
Kaz first donned the Nessa persona in 2019 during a visit from Ruth Jones, the co-creator and star of Gavin and Stacey, to Barry. A viral video of Kaz dressed as Nessa led to her becoming a professional impersonator, with bookings for Barry Island coach tours, pub crawls, student club nights, and even a funeral for a devoted Gavin and Stacey fan.
As filming for the final Gavin and Stacey episode takes place in Barry, Kaz’s popularity as Knock Off Nessa continues to grow. She has even met the real Ruth Jones, though she has yet to hear back about potentially standing in for her on the show.
Despite the whirlwind of attention, Kaz remains grateful for the positive impact Gavin and Stacey has had on Barry, crediting Jones and James Corden for putting the town on the map. As fans eagerly await the final episode, Kaz offers her own humorous predictions for the fate of Nessa and the other beloved characters.
With her uncanny resemblance to Nessa and her infectious enthusiasm for the show, Knock Off Nessa has become a local celebrity in Barry, embodying the spirit of Gavin and Stacey for fans across the nation.
