Ruth Jones (I)

Radio Times review

Before I started watching this I thought, "I wonder if they'll add some sleigh bells over the thrashy theme music" and I'm delighted to say they have. There's also a spangly snowflake backdrop and several Christmas-themed claims/tales/festive fibs.

To wit, "These are two of the best gifts I was given last Christmas," announces David Mitchell, flourishing a top hat and magic wand and prompting all of us to try to picture what Christmas Day might be like at the Coren Mitchells.

But the best prop arrives when Bill Bailey introduces a pet bird called Jacob, that he claims he once smuggled into the cinema with him. The fact it's a cockatoo is heroically ignored, even by Lee Mack: no pre-watershed-unfriendly gags here (although why Mitchell's enthusiastic mime of church bell-ringing gets a laugh might take some explaining). Kelly Holmes, Jo Brand and Ruth Jones add to the mendacious merriment.

In which mostly grumpy and sometimes quite old celebs reflect on the problems that ensue when leaving the house to go to work or the shops, or even to head out on holiday or for a jolly. In more detail, that means the likes of James Corden, Jonathan Ross, Ruth Jones and Stephen Mangan discussing the guilty thrill of buying a cheap round down the pub, the seething anger that underpins making tea for office colleagues, and performance anxiety - when packing shopping at the supermarket.

Radio Times review

There's been charm by the bucketload in this series of Ruth Jones's gentle comedy and this final episode wraps things up in cockle-warming fashion. Every week has some ridiculous subplot that calls for fancy dress, and tonight Big Alan and Celia get their Antony and Cleopatra costumes on for their wedding. Stella has good news about her nursing exams, and Michael gets a job offer in London, but will they overcome their differences? Luke, meanwhile, is struggling with his gambling addiction so he's relieved when a familiar face offers help.

Ruth Jones's Stella is so lovable that it's never good to see her having a bad time, but with Michael having done the dirty with flirty caricature Beyoncé, our Welsh heroine needs a break. Or a drink, with Dr Honey (Ramon Tikaram). But how will she react when Beyoncé turns up at the hospital? Big Alan, meanwhile, has competition in the form of Celia's ex-husband. Gently amusing.

Radio Times review

The emotional fallout from Beyoncé-gate is still being felt by Stella and next-door neighbour Michael, but fortunately there are some welcome distractions. Celia's ex-husband Dan turns up, Ben plucks up the courage to talk to Lily (don't get too excited) and there's an inaugural training session for Pontyberry Ladies Football Team.

Stella is the TV equivalent of a comfort blanket, its rich valley of comic characters always consistent. A word now for one who often shines brightest: Aunty Brenda, played with effortless "whatsaname" by Di Botcher. Along with Ruth Jones's epicentral Stella, Brenda holds the little community together with malapropian glue.

Radio Times review

Just some of the different ways in which men are idiots seems to be the theme of this episode. First there's imploding lawyer Michael, who has yet to confess to the lovely Stella the full extent of his betrayal with Beyoncé. Then there's flashy car salesman and aspiring councillor Dai Davies, who believes he can woo the electorate with a free bar. Stella's eldest, Luke, thinks a spot of online gambling will fund his new house. And Luke's brother Ben is tongue-tied with infatuation for Lily. See? Idiots.

It's a vibrant romp centred on a historical pageant (Dai seems to turn into Gimli from Lord of the Rings), with another no-nonsense turn from rugby's Scott Quinnell softening the inevitable heartbreak. But often Stella's most memorable scenes are those pertaining to friendship. One taxi confessional between the series' two best characters, Big Alan (Steve Speirs) and Stella (Ruth Jones) is a beauty.

Stella review - cosy, feelgood, old-fashioned comedy

Ruth Jones's new series offers optimism and the warm blanket of community to soothe life's mishaps - perfect for watching with mother-in-law.

Radio Times review

Ruth Jones's smile of a show returns for a well-won fourth series. As we catch up with the people of Pontyberry, Stella and Michael and their merged families are living in domestic bliss/chaos. So, while a contented Stella (Ruth Jones) heads off to her nursing job, Michael (Patrick Baladi) has to contend with drum 'n' bass and crying infants while practising as a solicitor from home.

Meanwhile, relations are fraught between Big Alan (wonderful Steve Speirs) and his son before the opening night of their risky new venture, Le Café de Les Alans, with Little Alan hurling pans about like a junior Gordon Ramsay.

Stella has survived the exit of key characters by sticking to its golden formula: conveying a real but comically heightened sense of community. Glad to see sweary Mother Hubbard Rhian and Welsh tornado Aunty Brenda still in the thick of the action and stealing many of the best lines.

Ruth Jones on Stella series four

Ruth Jones says there will be plenty of Welsh phrases to listen out for as Stella returns to our screens on Friday at 9pm.