A small, independent bookshop has sent Gavin and Stacey fans into a frenzy after a life-size cardboard cut-out of TV favourite Ruth Jones appeared inside its shop – leaving people wondering whether the venue is due a visit from the celebrity.

Over the last few weeks, The Little Ripon Bookshop, based on Westgate in Ripon, has been teasing customers by leaving a big cut-out of Gavin and Stacey’s Nessa, played by Ruth Jones, in the middle of the shop.

While it would be a great prank to pull, the bookshop actually has a reason for it to be there after announcing that the Welsh actor and best-selling author will arrive at the store on Saturday (October 8) from 12.30pm, where she will sign copies of her third novel, Love Untold.

The Northern Echo: A cardboard cut-out of Ruth Jones and bookshop owner Simon Edwards. Picture: NORTHERN ECHOA cardboard cut-out of Ruth Jones and bookshop owner Simon Edwards. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

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The newly published Love Untold, which tells the story of four generations of the same family, is already earning rave reviews for the warmth with which it is written.

It follows Ms Jones’s debut novel Never Greener, a number one bestseller whose central storyline focuses on the destructive effects of a love affair.

Here is the announcement below:

Since the cardboard cut-out popped up a few weeks ago, fans have been wondering if there was about to be an exciting announcement, with one customer telling The Northern Echo: “We all wondered whether the bookshop had something up their sleeve, it’s an exciting thing for Ripon that Ruth will be here on Saturday – I can’t wait.”

On Saturday, fans of both Gavin and Stacey and Ruth’s writing will get a chance to have a small chat with her and get a signing in a new copy of her book.

The Northern Echo: A stack of books by Ruth Jones. Picture: THE LITTLE BOOKSHOP RIPONA stack of books by Ruth Jones. Picture: THE LITTLE BOOKSHOP RIPON (Image: The Little Bookshop Ripon)

Simon Edwards, who owns and runs the shop with his wife, Gill, has highlighted how brilliant the appearance from the actress is.

He said: “We have got a lot of people pre-ordering the book, and people are looking forward to meeting Ruth and it promises to be an exciting morning.”

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