The BBC has announced that fans of Gavin and Stacey will get what they have long been wanting to see—the grand finale to the hit sitcom—on Christmas Day. With the promise of closure for its legion fans, it is preparing to say goodbye after dazzling viewers for over a decade and quietly returning in 2019.
A Phenomenal Journey
Gavin and Stacey first hit screens back in 2007 and quickly became more than just a must-see situational comedy. The series, created by James Corden and Ruth Jones when they co-starred in ITV’s Fat Friends, became a national television favourite shortly after it first aired. While Matthew Horne and Joanna Page played the often exasperated title pair, it was truly Gavin & Stacey’s depiction of their lives—not to mention the comedy spawned by both sides of their bonkers families—that won over audiences nationwide and influencers alike.
Apart from the ease of its storytelling, there’s a heartfelt way in which relatable characters and endearing moments are incorporated into this series. The combination of comedy and real emotion in the show clearly resonated with viewers, as it has been one of the most watched scripted programs on British television for a decade.
A Cliffhanger Worth the Wait
Expectation for the finale was intense after viewers were teased at Christmas 2019 with a tantalising special last scene. Ruth Jones played Nessa, who proposed to James Corden’s Smithy (you never find out his answer). That cliffhanger literally had tens of millions on the edge of their seats, needing to know what would happen next.
James Corden and Ruth Jones posted an Instagram update to mark the last script being finished, but fans begging for news can hold out hope. Announcing the news in a hilarious post poking fun at Smithy’s an infamous takeaway order, they wrote, ‘We’ll have: a chicken bhuna, lamb bhuna, prawn bhuna, mushroom rice (if you’re going to come…), bag of chips? Rena curry serviettes ABEESI!!! MORE POPPADOMS and Aimiee Herr run back! ”
Twenty-three years later, seeing the show back on TV after Christmas is as much a lovely thing of nostalgia long past as it is also an end to this cliffhanger that has lasted for more than two decades. Hopefully, fans can find out if Nessa suddenly pops the question is enough and whether it will end happily or take a dramatic twist.
A Community Transformed
Gavin & Stacey has had a real effect on the Welsh town of Barry Island, which features prominently in several episodes. Community businesses are meanwhile reporting a surge in sales thanks to the show. Hyper Value gift shop owner Jackie Rogers said: “The show has put Barry Island on the map in terms of people visiting who are fans.
Despite this, filming the show has not been without its struggles. Some residents have raised concerns about the traffic congestion and street closures for filming in their neighborhoods. County councillor Mark Hooper accepted this but said most film companies did try to be good neighbours.
The mood in Barry is positive despite these hiccups. Both business owners and residents are on the edge of their seats, awaiting this last episode with fingers crossed that it will draw new tourists to town. Jo Linney from Sofia Souvenirs says the boost to tourism has been greater still, with fans travelling in their droves just so they can visit places that are seen on screen.
The Final Countdown
The cast will return to reprise their roles for filming on the special shortly. Cast members set to feature include James Corden, Ruth Jones, and Matthew Horne, alongside Joanna Page, Rob Brydon, and Alison Steadman. While it has been speculated that other characters from the first three series—like Julia Davis’ Dawn Sutcliffe and Adrian Scarborough’s Pete Sutcliffe (both second siblings)—could return, this is not yet in writing.
Said episodes will give subscribers more insight on how things end, tying up certain stories and giving a few answers to burning questions that maybe kept you coming back season after season. For others, it will be bittersweet—saying goodbye to the show they followed all these years.
Past and Current Situation
With the rapturous anticipation for The Gavin and Stacey Finale hitting fever pitch, here we take a trip down memory lane on this show’s legacy. A combination of comedy, heart, and relatability has kept it much-loved throughout the history of British television. The ability of the show to unify people for their laughs and relatable experiences in life is just another proof that friends will never get old.
According to the announcement, this was planned as a “definitive conclusion” for AHS—presumably meaning that it would be wrapping up loose ends and fan favourite characters while also putting an end to one of the most significant television shows in its genre. For fans, the Christmas special will offer a way to bid farewell to characters they know and love after all these years; it is also an opportunity for everyone else who has enjoyed Gavin and Stacey across its various repeats over on Gold at one time or another to use this as a chance… Simply appreciate some of what feels like good modern television.
So, as we head to Christmas Day and Gavin & Stacey drawing the curtains one last time, let’s remember—there is a LOT of goodwill heading its way. So a toast to Gavin, Stacey, Nessa Smithy, and every other character who has ever made us laugh or cry.
