My friend George Michael was wonderful, says Catherine Tate

Tate said Christmas always reminded her of Michael, who shot to fame in the 1980s with Wham! before becoming an even bigger star as a solo artist.

She said Michael used to watch her show when Wham! – which Michael formed with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981 – were warming up to go on stage.

One day, Tate said Michael contacted her to say he was a big fan and the friendship blossomed from there.

“He was really fun, amazing, lovely, wonderful, wonderful being,” said Tate.

Tate recalled a concert Michael put on for the NHS staff who had looked after his mum, Lesley, who died of cancer in 1997.

“He was so grateful to them that he put on this free concert and tickets were put out in a ballot,” added Tate.

He asked Tate to introduce him on stage as one of her characters, Nurse Bernie.

“That was a magical moment, and we became friends,” Tate said, “And then I said, will you come and do a sketch with me as well?”

As well as remembering Michael, Tate said she will be glued to the finale of Gavin & Stacey this Christmas.

Tate has re-watched all three series in the build-up to the big day, after 2019’s Christmas special left her in suspense when Nessa proposed to Smithy.

Before he became Gavin, actor Matthew Horne played grandson Jamie to the foul-mouthed Nan on the BBC’s Catherine Tate Show.

Tate joked that the exposure may have helped Horne land the role in Gavin and Stacey, adding “you’re welcome”.

Tate hopes the finale will bring a resolution, as she said she wanted answers after the last Christmas special, when she told Horne “oh my God, you can’t leave it like that”.