SHE'S the world's best known omelette maker.

Gavin and Stacey star Melanie Walters laughs as she tells me how, five years on, Welsh mum and widow Gwen and her cooking skills still dominate conversation.

“Yes – I still get recognised every day! I’ll probably be associated with Gwen forever, but that’s not a bad thing. If somebody feels the need to shout ‘Oi! Gwen!’ at me because of a character that makes people laugh, I don’t mind.

"The omelette thing was never really intended as a catchphrase or a thing. It took us by surprise that people took that from her character, but it's nice in a way that it was decided for us.

"I did initially wonder what all the fuss was all about, but I've become a big fan of omelettes. Their full of protein and I give them to my son all the time. I think they're very underrated. Bring them back I say!"

Mum of one Melanie is now in Hampshire with her panto family, rehearsing for her role as the Forest Fairy in Jack and the Beanstalk, which opens at The Anvil in Basingstoke on Thursday.

"We all met up and got on like a house on fire straight away. I'm excited about the panto.

"It's usually the first experience of theatre you get as a young child and I think that's really special. It's such fun doing live theatre and even better to see their little faces. We very much want to continue the tradition and keep theatres alive and well. It's a real family affair for all the generations."

On her one day off on Christmas Day, Melanie will return to her teenage son Rowan and wider family for a huge gathering at her sister's Swansea home for turkey, piano playing and songs.

Following the remainder of the pantomime run, it will be back to business as usual as she runs her pilates business near her home in the seaside suburb of Mumbles.

But she doesn't rule out a return to Gwen - and her omelettes.

"I look back on Gavin and Stacey with such fondness and it was just one of the best gigs to get. As soon as I got the script,I sat and read all the episodes in the first series and thought it was great. But we had no idea how big it would become.

"We had a great time doing the first series and when I heard the What's Occurring ring tone on Radio 1, I knew it had really taken off!

"I'm not sure it would work as a film, I think maybe a stage show. But James (Corden, writer and Smithy actor) is in America and Ruth (Jones, writer and Nessa actress) has moved on with Stella and other things. I don't think anybody would say no to a return though.

"I think like Fawlty Towers, it encapsulated a time. But if there was going to be a Christmas special or something, I'm sure we'd say yes to it. I certainly would."

Fans should ask Father Christmas to bring back Gwen and her omelettes!

In the meantime, see Melanie in Jack and the Beanstalk, which runs until January 3, 2016.

Tickets: 01256 844244 or visit anvilarts.org.uk