BBC reveal official synopsis for final episode of Gavin and Stacey
Filming is now complete!
Last updated 22nd Oct 2024
Despite Gavin and Stacey coming to an end in 2010, with a one-off Christmas Special in 2019, fans have been calling out for a reunion, especially when there's a glimpse of the actors from the show coming together.
Now, five years after the final episode ended on one of the biggest TV cliff hangers, James Corden CONFIRMED that the gang are reuniting for a BRAND NEW Christmas special, set to air this year!
Here's everything you need to know about the final episode as filming wraps and the official synopsis is confirmed.
Will there be more episodes of Gavin and Stacey?
YES! Taking to Instagram on Friday 3rd May, James shared a photo alongside co-writer Ruth Jones, holding up a finished script for a new Christmas special, titled 'Gavin and Stacey: the finale'.
The message read: '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 ❤️'.
Actress Joanna Page, who plays the role of Stacey in the sitcom, shared the same image with the caption: 'O my god it’s happening!!! So excited!!! Last ever Gavin and Stacey! Christmas Day @bbcone Can’t wait to start filming!! ❤️'. (sic)
Fans were also quick to express their excitement, one wrote: 'Yes, yes, yeeeesssss!!!!!!!', with another adding: 'Oh my Christ'. A third wrote: 'This has made my whole year!!!', with another writing: 'That’s is just the BEST news!!! thank you 💜🥳'. (sic)
Another commented: 'This is literally the news I've been waiting for.........I'm soooooooooooo excited .....Thank you @j_corden and ruth Jones for giving us the gift of Gavin and Stacey xxxx'. (sic)
The 2024 Christmas special will be the last ever episode of the sitcom.
When is it being filmed?
In mid-June, James revealed filming for the special would be taking place in September and October.
On Monday 2nd September, James got fans VERY excited by posting a photo of Smithy's iconic work van to Instagram, with the caption: 'Day 1. Here we go x'. (sic)
BBC bosses also shared the news on their own socials, writing: 'Oh. My. Christ.
'The final episode of Gavin & Stacey started filming today. Truth be told, we’re a little bit excited.
'Watch #GavinandStacey on #iPlayer this Christmas Day'. (sic)
On Wednesday 3rd September, Joanna Page, who plays the role of Stacey, shared a photo of her trailer to Instagram, writing: '🏴O my god, we’re starting! 😁I’m so excited!! 💕'. (sic)
James shared another photo on Instagram for Day 2 of filming, this time showing Joanna (Stacey) and Ruth (Nessa) at Barry Island.
He wrote: 'Day 2. One last time on the island x'. (sic)
Filming ends in Barry
On Thursday 19th September, filming wrapped on Barry Island, as the final scenes were filmed in Stacey's Trinity Street.
The cast and crew spoke to locals as they wrapped filming in the now iconic street, with Ruth Jones saying: "It's our farewell to Barry and Trinity Street, so you won’t be seeing us here anymore but we’ve had a wonderful 17 years, it’s been fantastic."
James Corden then added: "Thank you very much to everyone, we’ll see you soon."
In a video taken by a fan, Ruth Jones (Nessa), James Corden (Smithy), Joanna Page (Stacey), and Melanie Walters (Gwen), can be seen walking up the street to meet fans as the sun sets on Barry.
Has filming wrapped?
After wrapping in Barry in September, the cast and crew moved to other parts of the country to film the remaining scenes for the final episode.
On Tuesday 8th October, BBC bosses confirmed filming is now fully complete, writing on social media: And that’s a wrap... for the last time ever 🎬 See you on Christmas Day! 🥹🎄 #GavinAndStacey'. (sic)
The image attached shows the last day of filming took place on Monday 7th October.
When will it be on TV?
James confirmed the new Christmas special of Gavin and Stacey will air on Christmas Day this year!
No times have been announced just yet, but it will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with reports suggesting it could even last 90 minutes.
What will happen in the new Christmas special?
In mid-October 2024, BBC bosses revealed the official synopsis for the final ever episode.
It reads: 'The final ever episode of this much-loved comedy classic. It's five years since we left Nessa down on one knee declaring her love for Smithy and asking him to marry her...
'And a lot has happened in those five years. 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 17-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.'
Speaking to Daily Mail in June 2024, BBC's Director of Comedy Jon Petrie admitted even he hasn't seen the script yet, but did reveal James and Ruth have come up with "a brilliant idea and a brilliant story".
He told the publication: "They are really keeping it under wraps and don't want people to see it outside of their very, very tight circle until they're 100% certain of it.
"I think it will be hard when they are filming it because it's such a huge show and everyone will want to watch, everyone in all the locations where it's shot, it will be obvious what's being shot."
Check our all of the questions we want answered in the Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special 2024 right here.
Who will be in the new Christmas special?
The usual faces are set to appear in the new Christmas special, including writers James Corden and Ruth Jones as Smithy and Nessa, and of course Gavin and Stacey themselves, Mathew Horne and Joanna Page.
Alison Steadman and Larry Lamb are set to return as Gavin's parents Pam and Mick Shipman, whilst Rob Brydon will once again take on the role of Uncle Bryn.
Others set to feature include Melanie Walters (Gwen West), Julia Davis (Dawn Sutcliffe), Adrian Scarborough (Peter Sutcliffe), Steffan Rhodri (Dave Coaches), and Oscar Hartland (Neil the Baby).
In September 2024, rumours were also rife that Sheridan Smith will be returning as Smithy's sister Rudi. Although she didn't feature in 2019 Christmas special, reports are suggesting Sheridan will make a cameo in the final ever episode.
Will there be any more episodes?
The upcoming 2024 Christmas special will be the final ever episode of Gavin and Stacey.
When was the last Christmas special?
Believe it or not, it was way back in December 2019 when the last episode of Gavin and Stacey aired, with the Christmas special. Fans were left gutted when the episode ended on a huge cliff-hanger when Nessa proposed to Smithy in the street.
Check out the 7 questions we want answered 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? Surely we'll get an answer either way this Christmas...
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. It would be a bit odd to see him return, given that Nessa was his connection to the main characters, but given it's the last ever episode, we're sure that Ruth Jones and James Corden could find a way to wiggle him back in. For old times' sake.
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?! As integral supporting characters to the show, we'd be VERY surprised if Pete and Dawn didn't make an appearance... But will they still be together?
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 will his friends and family STILL call him Neil "the baby" in the upcoming Christmas Special? The character was born in the series finale of season two, which aired in December 2008, and would make him now around 16-years-old - so it remains to be seen if he's kept hold of the nickname or whether it's been dropped as he entered his teenage years...
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 could they be planning a move back to Gavin's hometown of Essex? Their moves have caused total uproar in the previous series, so it wouldn't be a surprise 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? And will we even find out during the Christmas Special, or will Mick be roasting up his world-famous Christmas turkey instead?
7) WHAT happened on the fishing trip?
It's unlikely we'll actually 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?
What were the rumours earlier this year?
On 13th February 2024, Deadline reported that Gavin and Stacey would be getting a brand new Christmas special, which will be filmed in the Summer of 2024, for a Christmas Day release date.
Despite the rumours, one day later on 14th February, Gavin and Stacey co-creator Ruth Jones seemed to shut down the reports. Speaking on RTE Radio 1, she said: "All I can say is, if there was something to say on that front, James and I would happily announce it, we would."
Speaking in November 2020, the BBC's Chief Content Officer, Charlotte Moore, revealed there would be episodes in the future. She said: "That wasn't something that was going to happen this year," before adding: "One day."
But now it appears the rumours were true all along!
What has James Corden said about a Gavin and Stacey reunion?
Just days after the Christmas special aired on Christmas Day in 2019, James and Ruth were hyped by the love, telling Metro.co.uk: "It’s mind-blowing that so many people watched our show – we still can’t get our heads around it, what a massive compliment. We are indebted to the BBC for their incredible support but most importantly to those viewers for watching."
The pair then teased: "We just hope one day we can let them know what Smithy said next."
However, in February 2020, just months after the Christmas special aired, co-writer James seemed to shut down rumours of more episodes, telling the BBC: "I'm being completely honest, there are no plans to do any more because a lot of it is about time and distance. I think Ruth and I, if we ever were going to do any, we approach it in the same manner we did the last one to try and just do it on our own and see if we felt we had something that wouldn't ruin it.
"Because it's all well and good people saying that they would like another one, and that is hugely flattering, but they only want one that doesn't tarnish it in any way. So we're going to really try our best to give it some thought at the least, but there is no plans - as it stands right now - to ever make another one."
However, later that year in December 2020, James reignited hope for fans, confessing to Metro.co.uk that he'd love to return to the show, but that the pressure of making something that was worth the hype was almost too much to cope with.
He said at the time: "I don’t know, is the answer/ honestly don’t. We’re all on a WhatsApp text group, all of us and Matt Horne and Jo Page did a special radio show for BBC Wales the other day that will go out on Christmas, and we all contributed to that somewhat.
"We’re always talking, all of us, and Ruth Jones and I talk all the time. I hope so much we do it."
But James confirmed that if they did return to the characters, it really would be the final time, saying: "The next one will really be the last, final part - and that is a little too much pressure for my chest to take at the moment, if I’m honest, in amongst the anxiety of 2020.
"If I had any notion of trying to make another Christmas special I don’t think I’d be able to breathe. So we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. But I promise you, we won’t lead you over that bridge unless we think it will be worth the journey."
In May 2024, James confirmed he'd written the script for the final episode of Gavin and Stacey, which will air on Christmas Day.
What has Ruth Jones said about a Gavin and Stacey reunion?
Following Charlotte Moore's comment that the show will return 'one day', Nessa actress and Gavin and Stacey co-creator Ruth Jones had her say on the constant rumours.
Speaking on This Morning in November 2020, Ruth said: "There aren't any plans to write anything, obviously James is in America, I'm in Wales. I'm sorry not to be able to give you any good news."
Ruth also went on to admit she thinks THAT ending where Nessa proposed to Smithy during the 2019 Christmas special, is a good way for the show to end.
She added: "I do think that the Christmas special ended in such a way that if we never go back to Barry, we will always wonder what happened. There's something quite juicy about that, that we will always wonder 'Did Smithy say yes?, Did they get married?'"
What has Joanna Page said about a Gavin and Stacey reunion?
Actress Joanna Page, who played the title role of Stacey in the show, spoke ahead of the Christmas special in 2019, saying on This Morning: "There’s not many jobs that are so close to your heart where you all click. It’s really like a family. And then when we all got the phone calls we were like, straight away, we’ll drop anything else and we just all want to get together and do it again."
Joanna also spoke about the show again when she appeared on Loose Women in December 2022, to reveal that she would be up for more episodes of the hit show.
"I’d love to do another one," she told the panel. When asked if there were any more episodes planned, she said: "I’ve honestly no idea. I’m just the same as everybody else because they don’t tell us!
"They’ve never told us any more that they’re doing anything, so it’s only when you get a phone call and they say ‘there’s a special, do you want to do it?’.
"They don’t tell us anything and I’ve never ever asked. I’ve never said ‘oh Ruth (Jones), do you think you’ll do another one or is there going to be more? I’m just not that sort of person. I’ve always just thought, we'll wait and see and if there is, there is and if there isn’t, there isn’t."
The most recent episode of the show was a Christmas Special, which aired in 2019, and Joanna spoke about after they'd finished recording saying: "After filming I did think, there is another one, there’s got to be another one. We’ve got to find out what Smithy says!
"But as time’s going by, I’ve started to think, well maybe it’s been too long? Maybe there isn’t going to be another one, which makes me sad because I’d love to do another one.
"If they do, I hope they hurry up because we’re all getting old!"
Speaking on the new reunion rumours in February 2024, Joanna told The Mirror: “It’s all gone absolutely mad with those rumours and it’s so sweet and lovely that everybody still loves the show. But cross my heart, I honestly don’t know. I’d never ask Ruth Jones or James Corden if they’re planning on writing any more. That would look a bit sad, wouldn’t it? But would I do the show again?
"I’d absolutely jump at it. It was a fantastic job with a fabulous cast. We had a right laugh from start to finish. My children recently watched the first Christmas special which they loved."
When James announced news of a new Christmas special for 2024, Joanna was quick to share the post, expressing her excitement.
What has Rob Brydon said about a Gavin & Stacey reunion?
Actor Rob Brydon didn't hold back in breaking all of our hearts in January 2020, admitting he doesn't want the show to return.
Speaking to our friends over at heatworld, Rob said: "There are no plans whatsoever and personally I would say leave it where it is, with people wanting more.
"It’s always my instinct and I said that before this special and I was very surprised then to see that they had written it. Everyone is saying, 'You must want to do more,' but I’d much rather leave it on a high and it’s really hard to come back after 10 years and to make something as popular as it has been because you can get it wrong."
HOWEVER, fast-forward a year to 2021, and Rob seemingly hinted there could be another Gavin and Stacey special on the way.
Speaking on his podcast alongside former co-star Sheridan Smith, who played Smithy's sister Ruth 'Rudi' Smith in the sitcom, Rob said of James and Ruth: "Well, I think they might do one more special. But they should crack on if they are going to do it."
Sheridan added: "They created this masterpiece sort of one-off Christmas special. Now everyone's asking for more, aren't they?"
However, then in July 2023, Rob revealed he really didn't know if there was going to be reunion. He told Greatest Hits Radio: "It’s a lovely thought but I don’t know that there are any plans for it at the moment - but then I wouldn’t necessarily know. When they did that big Christmas special a few years ago they’d written it without any of us knowing – James (Corden) and Ruth (Jones) had got together and secretly written it.
"The first I knew was when James phoned and said ‘What are you doing this summer? We’ve written a Christmas special..... But I just work here!"
What has Alison Steadman said about a Gavin and Stacey reunion?
Speaking on the BBC show Morning Live in December 2020, Alison Steadman, who played the role of Gavin's mum Pam on the show, admitted she was still waiting to hear about another Christmas special.
She said: “Well look, this announcement’s been made but James and Ruth haven’t said anything to us and everything’s very quiet.
“They’ve obviously got to write this thing, which is an enormous task, so, honestly we don’t know. We’re waiting to hear like everyone else.”
Speaking to Radio Times Magazine in 2023, Alison revealed that she'd prefer to film a special if the show was to return. She said: "I'd like to do another, but I don't know if I could do seven episodes. A special would be great fun and it wouldn't be too draining and exhausting. The Christmas special cliffhanger ending was brilliant. I was really touched and moved by it."
Alison and her former co-star Larry Lamb left Gavin & Stacey fans in total meltdown in June 2022, when the pair were spotted filming at the famous Barry Island in Wales.
After the snap of the pair chilling on deck chairs landed online, speculation was of course rife, with many wondering if Pam and Mick were reuniting for the show! Sadly, this was not to be true - however, it's not all bad news...
On the Christmas special 2024 rumours, Alison told The Mirror: "If we did another series or episode, I would absolutely love it. But at the moment, as far as I know, it's not going to happen.
"None of us have been sent scripts, none of us, so until there's something definite and it's announced, then I'm not going to go along with anything, it might not happen. It's all up in the air."
What were they filming?
Larry and Alison were in fact filming a brand new show on Barry Island! The show, titled Alison & Larry: Billericay to Barry, was a three-part travel series which saw the pair take the long way round, stopping off at special spots along the way to reminisce, and even meet up with old pals from the show!
Find out more about Alison & Larry: Billericay to Barry.
Is Gavin & Stacey available to watch on TV?
Although Gavin and Stacey isn't currently being shown on TV, fans can watch all episodes from series one-three, including the Christmas special, on the BBC iPlayer now.
The 2024 Christmas special will air on Christmas Day on BBC One.
Is there going to be a Gavin & Stacey movie?
Although there's been no talk of a Gavin and Stacey movie since, back in 2020, actor Larry Lamb spoke to Loose Women stars Andrea McLean, Denise Welch, Saira Khan and Coleen Nolan about the the movie rumours.
He said at the time: "I remember talking to James Corden about the whole thing of having had 10 years of being asked if it was coming back, then you do the Christmas special and you’re back answering the same question.
"It’s a drug the nation is hooked on. I don’t know if there is a movie. I’d love it if there is.”
Gavin and Stacey will return to BBC One on Christmas Day!
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