Gavin and Stacey Christmas special 2024: What we know about the BBC show’s return
GAVIN and Stacey fans were beside themselves when the show returned for a Christmas special back in 2019.
Now James Corden and Ruth Jones have finally revealed that the show WILL be back for a festive edition of the smash hit comedy.
Is the Gavin and Stacey show returning?
It’s the news that Gavin and Stacey fans around the world have been waiting for – a brand new TV special is happening.
The last outing of the beloved comedy was in 2019 and left viewers wanting more.
But fast forward five years and James Corden and Ruth Jones have revealed they will be treating us to one more Christmas special.
The only downside to this incredible news is that they have said it will be the last one.
Sharing the news on social media on May 3, 2024, James and Ruth posed for a black and white snap with the script in front of their faces, with “Gavin and Stacey” clearly written at the top.
They captioned it with: “Some news… It’s official!!! We have finished writing the last ever episode of Gavin and Stacey. See you on Christmas Day, BBC One. Love Ruth and James 
”
Who are cast of the Gavin and Stacey’s Christmas special?
Fans also need not worry, as the new episode will include the same much-loved cast.
Here who is set to appear in the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special 2024:
Matthew Horne as Gavin Shipman
Actor Mathew Horne became a household name after landing the lead role of Gavin when the show kicked off in 2007.
He met his future BFF James Corden while working on Channel 4‘s Teachers in the early noughties.
Since Gavin and Stacey ended Matthew has continued to work.
He is known for playing Shaquille Fraser in Jack Whitehall‘s Bad Education series, as well as Roy Silver in Sky 1’s Agatha Raisin.
The Gavin and Stacey Christmas special 2019 ended on a huge cliffhanger, with Nessa proposing to Smithy.
Asked by the Radio Times if this will be addressed in the new episode, Matthew said: “I doubt – very much doubt – that anything will happen.
“It would be nice to find out whether Smithy and Nessa do get married, but I don’t think we ever will find out.”
Joanna Page as Stacey Shipman
Before hitting the big time in Gavin and Stacey, Joanna was also known for starring in the 2003 Christmas movie Love Actually.
Since the show ended she has starred in other high profile TV shows including Miss Marple and Dr Who.
We genuinely feel like a family and we slot into those roles when we meet up.
Joanna Page on the cast of Gavin and Stacey
Joanna also appeared in the Christmas movie Nativity 2.
But the actress told The Sun that it is Gavin and Stacey that will always hold a big place in her heart.
She told us: “We genuinely feel like a family and we slot into those roles when we meet up.
“It’s really lovely and it’s so rare as well.”
James Corden as Smithy
Although the show was called Gavin and Stacey, one of the clear fan favourites of the series was Smithy.
Although actor James Corden had starred in many TV shows and films before, it was this show that saw his star soar and made him a household name.
Since the show ended he has starred in numerous big budget Hollywood movies and had his own US chat show, The Late Late Show.
It is reported that now his run on the chat show is over,he has time to invest in a new episode of Gavin and Stacey.
Ruth Jones as Nessa Jenkins
Like Smithy, the character of Nessa is also one of the most popular with fans.
With her catchphrase “what’s occurring” and no-nonsense attitude, Ruth Jones‘ character quickly won over viewers.
In the show, Nessa’s love interest is Smithy, played by her good pal James.
However, fans will notice their character’s have never snogged on screen.
Speaking to The Sun, Ruth explained why and told us: “You’ll also notice that Nessa and Smithy have never kissed, because there is no way me and James could do it,” she pointed out during a recent interview with The Sun.
The pair met on the early noughties show, Fat Friends.
Meanwhile, away from the show and the actress has enjoyed a great career since Gavin and Stacey ended and even had her own TV series, Stella.
The rest of the returning cast is expected to be:
- Larry Lamb as Gavin’s down-to earth dad Mick in the show.
- Alison Steadman as Gavin’s hilarious mum, Pamela Shipman.
- Rob Brydon as Stacey’s eccentric, yet adorable, Uncle Bryn.
- Melanie Walters as Stacey’s caring, widowed mother who loves cooking omelettes.
- Julia Davies as Pam’s best friend Dawn Sutcliffe.
- Adrian Scarborough as Dawn’s long suffering husband Pete Sutcliffe.
Where can you watch Gavin and Stacey’s Christmas special?
Despite first being aired on BBC Three, Gavin and Stacey is known for being aired on BBC One and the BBC iPlayer.
This means a new episode of the show will be broadcast on this channel.
The 2019 Christmas Special ended with Ruth’s character Nessa declaring her love for James’ character Smithy before proposing.
However, the episode cut off before Smithy could reply, leaving fans desperate to know what happens next.
When will Gavin and Stacey’s Christmas special air?
The series is likely to be filmed over the summer and will air on Christmas Day 2024.
In 2019, it was available to watch from 8.30pm on BBC One and the BBC iPlayer.
Gavin and Stacey became a surprise hit when it first launched on the BBC in 2007, and went on to have three series and two Christmas Specials.
Every single episode that has aired between 2007 and 2019 can be watched on the iPlayer right now.
Gavin and Stacey's Best Moments
With the news that the show is set to make an exciting return to screens, let's take a look at some of the comedy programme's biggest and best moments...
- Smithy and Rudi’s American Boy rap – No one will ever forget when James Corden and Sheridan Smith rapped perfectly word for word the Kanye West and Estelle hit American Boy as they walked across the car park on the phone to Gavin.
- Pam’s Vegetarian faux pas – Despite loving a cheesburger, Pam found herself caught up in a web of unexpected lies when she claimed to be Vegetarian. She is forced to keep up the secret throughout the entire show and uses hubby Mick to help her scoff meat. She is later rumbled when Stacey catches her in the act as she scoffs ham in the kitchen. Stacey says to her: “Is that ham, Pam!?… “I’ve seen you, Pam. A scotch egg here, a bit of bacon there, putting those regular sausages into the Linda McCartney box”.
- THAT fishing trip – It remains one of the biggest mysteries in Gavin and Stacey history as to just exactly what did happen on the ill-fated fishing trip. Bryn appears to be hiding a secret as to an occurance between him and his nephew Jason which has left relations fractures. Ness’ on-off boyfriend, Dave, is the only other person to know the whole truth. Bryn did appear to allude to him and Jason lying together naked to keep warm as he said to Dave: “We’re going to have this out, once and for all, man to man, you may know what happened, David, but you don’t know why it happened! It was freezing cold, it was! And when you are that cold…”
- Islands in the Stream – No one can ever forget the classic Karaoke performance of Islands in the Stream. Nessa and Bryn performed the track in front of all their nearest and dearest. It saw the whole pub burst into some line-dancing as they enjoyed a boozy night out.
- The Xmas special proposal – In 2019, fans were left overjoyed when the show made a comeback but it ended on the ultimate cliffhanger. Nessa asked Smithy if she would marry him as she finally laid bare her feelings for him. Fans were gutted as the show then cut straight to the credits as they never found out just how Smithy answered. Will all be revealed in the brand new episode?