7 questions we wanted answered in the Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special
It was the last ever episode! ðŸ˜
Last updated 27th Dec 2024
Most British people will have watched at least one episode of Gavin and Stacey during their lives - but most of us have binge-watched the entire series plenty of times. After the previous Christmas Special in 2019 - which was released almost 10 years after series three ended - we may have all adored seeing our favourite characters again, but we were left with a LOT of questions.
Now following the release of the 2024 Christmas Special - which was the last EVER episode of the show, by the way - we've rounded up all the loose ends that we wanted to see answered by co-creators and co-writers Ruth Jones and James Corden in the episode, which aired on Christmas Day!
What happens in the Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special 2024?
1) Did Smithy say yes?
Let's kick off with the biggie, shall we? It's been the question on everyone's lips for the last five years - did Smithy accept or reject Nessa's marriage proposal? After Smithy introduced his new girlfriend Sonia to his friends and family at Christmas, the characters - and audience - could tell she wasn't "The One", but nothing could have prepared us for the cliffhanger at the end of the episode, with Nessa asking Smithy to marry her. The pair ended up in bed together earlier in the episode, and it seemed as though it wasn't the only time it had happened between the end of season three in 2010 and the Christmas Special in 2019! But does that mean the pair would plan to tie the knot? Well the 2024 Christmas special finally answers that burning question...
2) What happened to Dave Coaches?
Dave Coaches didn't appear in the 2019 Christmas Special - and it makes sense, too, given that Nessa jilted him at the altar in the series three finale following Smithy's outburst. But given it's the last ever episode, we were thrilled to see Ruth Jones and James Corden found a way to wiggle him back in. For old times' sake. And it's a shocker!
3) Are Pete and Dawn still together?
One of British telly's most volatile relationships, Pete and Dawn Sutcliffe were on-again-off-again pretty much the whole way through the original series AND the last Christmas Special in 2019. Who can forget their iconic vow renewal ceremony with Pete's extravagant ring?!
4) Is Neil the baby still called... Neil the baby?
Nessa and Smithy's son was still being referred to as Neil "the baby" in the 2019 Christmas Special, with Smithy's girlfriend Sonia even questioning the moniker, but we were keen to see if his friends and family STILL call him Neil "the baby" in the 2024 Christmas Special, given that he'd be 16 years old now. The character was born in the series finale of season two, which aired in December 2008!
5) Do they still live on Barry Island?
The Shipman family moved a few times over the course of the series, eventually settling on Barry Island around Stacey's family. But are they still there? Or did they move back to Gavin's hometown of Essex? Their moves have caused total uproar in the previous series, so we wouldn't have been surprised if that storyline crops up once more in the last ever episode!
6) Is Smithy's curry order the same?
Can you get it all correct? Ready... Go! Chicken bhuna, lamb bhuna, prawn bhuna, mushroom rice, bag of chips, keema naan and nine poppadoms! But does Smithy still stick to the same order when he has a takeaway these days?
7) WHAT happened on the fishing trip?
It seems unlikely we'll ever find out what happened on the fishing trip between Uncle Bryn West and his nephew Jason West - creators and writers Ruth Jones and James Corden have even said themselves that they don't know what happened! It's a funny long-running joke throughout the series, and we've been given snippets of the situation that occurred between the pair... But nothing has ever fit together or made any sense whatsoever! We guess the real question is... Do we even WANT to know what happened on the fishing trip?
Who's in the cast?
You'll be pleased to know that all of the show's main characters returned for the final episode - Mathew Horne as Gavin Shipman, Joanna Page as Stacey Shipman, Ruth Jones as Vanessa Shanessa "Nessa" Jenkins, James Corden as Neil "Smithy" Smith, Larry Lamb as Mick Shipman, Alison Steadman as Pam Shipman, Rob Brydon as Bryn West and Melanie Walters as Gwen West.
But unexpected returns also include Sheridan Smith as Smithy's sister Rudi, Laura Aikman as Smithy's girlfriend Sonia and Steffan Rhodri and Dave Coaches.
When did it air?
Christmas Day 2024.
How can I watch it back?
It's available to watch on BBC iPlayer, just like all the episodes of Gavin and Stacey.
Check out the first look photos from the final ever episode of Gavin and Stacey:
Gavin and Stacey 2024 first look
Gavin and Stacey 2024 first look
Gavin and Stacey 2024 first look
Gavin and Stacey 2024 first look
Gavin and Stacey 2024 first look
Gavin and Stacey 2024 first look
Gavin and Stacey 2024 first look
Gavin and Stacey 2024 first look
Gavin and Stacey 2024 first look
Gavin and Stacey 2024 first look
Gavin and Stacey 2024 first look
Gavin and Stacey 2024 first look
Gavin and Stacey 2024 first look
Gavin and Stacey 2024 first look
Gavin and Stacey 2024 first look
Gavin and Stacey 2024 first look
Gavin and Stacey 2024 first look
Gavin and Stacey 2024 first look
Now read:
Your ultimate guide to Gavin and Stacey: The Finale
The cast of Gavin & Stacey: Then and now
First look at final ever episode of Gavin and Stacey
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