Prime Minister David Cameron bows to actress Joanna Page, who plays Stacey in the TV comedy show Gavin and Stacey, during a reception at Downing Street to mark St David's Day

Wales’ patron saint occasion St David’s Day was marked in London with a reception in Downing Street attended by celebs including Joanna Page and Steve Jones.

During the event at No 10 Prime Minister David Cameron revealed his love for comedy series Gavin and Stacey, and urged TV bosses to make more episodes.

Mr Cameron joked it was “tidy” to have Page, who played Stacey, among the guests.

The PM, who later “bowed down” before the actress, said: “I’m a huge fan. Like all sitcoms in the United Kingdom it was much too short, we need more episodes.

“It’s an absolutely fantastic piece of work and gave pleasure to absolutely millions.”

He told guests Downing Street had become a “Welsh outpost” for the evening after a faulty flag pole meant the Union Jack was taken down in favour of the Red Dragon.

But he dashed hopes of Welsh pleas for St David’s Day to be turned into a bank holiday, blaming Chancellor George Osborne who does not like “anything that reduces GDP by even 0.01 per cent”.

Meanwhile, research for findmypast.co.uk has found one in five people from London believe they have Welsh blood.

The family history website has published a collection of Welsh baptism, marriage and burial records online for the first time today.