Gavin & Stacey fans were left stunned as two beloved stars ‘reunited’ in a new BBC murder mystery. 

The six-part series, тιтled Death Valley, premiered last month and sees DS Janine Mallowan (Gwyneth Keyworth) join up with TV detective John Chapel (Timothy Spall).

It airs every Sunday, and the most recent instalment caught the attention of some viewers.

During the episode, DS Janine received a call from her mother, Yvonne, who revealed a member of her walking group had been found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ on a trail.

Yvonne was played by Gavin & Stacey star Melanie Walters and her appearance in the new murder series came as a pleasant surprise to fans.

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Gavin & Stacey fans were left stunned as two beloved stars ‘reunite’ in a new BBC murder mystery

During the episode, DS Janine received a call from her mother, Yvonne (centre), who revealed a member of her walking group had been found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ on a trail

Yvonne was played by Gavin & Stacey star Melanie Walters (pictured, left) and her appearance in the new murder series came as a pleasant surprise to fans

Melanie portrayed Gwen West in Gavin & Stacey, a widowed mother with two children. 

But she wasn’t the only star from the popular sitcom to feature in Death Valley. 

DS Janine’s manager, DCI Barry Clarke, is played by Steffan Rhodri who starred as bus driver Dave Coaches in the BBC comedy.

Fans recognised the pair and took to social media to share their surprise.

One posted on X: ‘Not sure I can take #DeathValley seriously what with Dave coaches as a copper & now Gwen… All we need next is Ness appearing.’

Another added: ‘Dave coaches and Gwen?! When is Nessa going to make an appearance?! #deathvalley.’

While according to the Express, someone else penned: ‘OMG Gwen and Dave Coaches!’

One fan spotted Steffan in the first episode and posted: ‘Lol Dave coaches #deathvalley.’

Others praised the new series and gushed: ‘Absolutely loving #DeathValley on BBC One. So much fun and comedy, Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth are just brilliant! Series 2 please!’

DS Janine’s manager, DCI Barry Clarke, is played by Steffan Rhodri (pictured) who starred as bus driver Dave Coaches in the BBC comedy

Steffan Rhodri pictured as Dave Coaches in a previous episode of BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey

Fans recognised the pair and took to social media to share their surprise, while others praised the new series

However, the first instalment was hit with some backlash from viewers who last week switched off the broadcaster’s new crime drama ‘after five minutes’ and complained ‘this is absolute rubbish’.

One posted on X: ‘#deathvalley #BBC is so dreadful on every level. The woman detective is beyond irritating and embarrᴀssing.’

‘The problems with comedy police programs like this is how they suddenly come up with such a long winded explanation of the murder without actually showing us during the program how they would come to it. #deathvalley,’ another penned.

Someone else commented: ‘Oh that was terrible #DeathValley.’

Death Valley airs on Sundays at 8.15pm on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.