Christmas Day is fast approaching and while many people are eagerly counting down the days until they can unwrap their presents and tuck into a huge festive dinner, there’s only one thing on our mind – the final ever episode of Gavin and Stacey.
Although it will be bittersweet as we have to say goodbye to Gavin, Stacey, Smithy, Nessa and the gang one last time, we can’t wait to have them back on our screens after five years away.
And while the last Christmas special – which ended on THAT proposal cliffhanger – was watched by over 18 million people, making it the most-watched scripted programme of the 2010s, even more are expected to tune in this year as creators James Corden and Ruth Jones have teased a shocking death could be occurin’ in the final ever episode.
Speaking on BBC Radio 2’s breakfast show, Ruth, who plays Nessa in the BBC comedy, told Zoe Ball, ‘It's strange, James and I have always felt, [the characters] really do exist.
‘It's not like they're dying, well... Watch the final.’
She added, ‘We feel like they still exist, for us, they're carrying on living their lives in Barry, or in Billericay it's just that we are not party to what goes on in their life anymore.’
And in a separate interview, Ruth warned fans they might not be satisfied with the answers they get from the final episode.
‘I keep telling people this finale might not be what you are expecting,’ she told Big Issue.
‘And I guarantee we will definitely not be coming back.’
Her writing partner James, who portrays Smithy, added, ‘What people are going to see on Christmas Day is the culmination of a 20-year love story, which hopefully shows, if nothing else, that love is complicated and messy and for everyone.’
When does the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special air?
Gavin & Stacey: The Finale will air on Christmas Day at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
How did the last Christmas special end?
The 2019 Christmas special ended with Nessa dropping to one knee and proposing to Smithy.
Smithy was shocked to receive the proposal, and viewers have waited five long years to find out what his answer was.
But luckily, Ruth Jones has confirmed the episode will pick up exactly where it left us, meaning we will finally have the answer to that burning question.
What will happen in the finale?
While we can’t tell you whether or not Smithy and Nessa will tie the knot, we do have a slight synopsis from the BBC about what to expect in the final episode.
They say, ‘In Barry, Bryn’s packing the Picasso in readiness for a trip to Essex; Stacey and Gavin are looking for new ways to spice up their seventeen year marriage and Gwen is behaving most strangely.
‘Nessa’s started a new business venture and Neil the Baby’s about to begin an apprenticeship with his dad.
‘Over in Billericay Pam is stressing out at the prospect of playing hostess, not helped by a newly retired Mick practicing his golf swings in the living room and there have been more ups and downs in Pete and Dawn’s relationship.’
And if you need even more Gavin and Stacey once the final episode has aired, you’re in luck. A documentary, Gavin & Stacey: A Fond Farewell will air on New Years Day at 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
And there'll be even more goodness on the radio, with Barry Island Discs: Gavin & Stacey's Big Songs Send Off airing on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Sounds from 12pm on 23 December and Gavin & Stacey - The Fans' Story on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Sounds from 6.30pm on Christmas Eve.
Samuel McManus is a senior content creator for Bauer Media, writing celebrity news and features across five of the company’s brands – heat, Closer, Grazia, Bella and Yours. Samuel has worked at Bauer Media since November 2024.