James Corden and Ruth Jones, the writers and stars of Gavin and Stacey, have been named in a list of the most powerful movers and shakers in the British media.

The award-winning pair finished 25th in the Guardian's media power list, which was headed by Sergey Brin and Larry Page, the creators of Google.

Simon Cowell, outgoing Doctor Who supremo Russell T Davies and Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke were also named in the top 100.

Gavin and Stacey, a multiple winner at the Baftas and British comedy awards, tells the story of an Essex boy and girl from Barry, south Wales, who fall in love after talking on the phone for months.

And having steadily built a devoted fanbase over the course of its first series, the BBC3 comedy became "one of the breakout hits of the year" according to the newspaper.

"Corden and Jones now have the sort of opportunities open to them that were enjoyed by Little Britain's creators Matt Lucas and David Walliams," it added.

While News Corp owner Rupert Murdoch was named the fifth most influential media personality, his son James, who runs all of the News International publications, finished second.

Cowell, named in 14th, was said to be able to "dictate anything he wants to the ITV network"; Davies was said to be "responsible for the most influential drama of the decade"; and Yorke was praised for "the marketing gimmick of the year" in masterminding the internet-only release of his band's seventh album In Rainbows.


14/07/2008 15:26:06