STORYLINES for the finale of Gavin and Stacey will see the BBC comedy series return as the Christmas special takes place five years on from the previous instalment.
The hit TV series aired between 2007 and 2010 and returned in 2019 with a one-off festive episode that ended on a cliff-hanger when Vanessa Shanessa “Nessa” Jenkins (Ruth Jones) proposed to Neil “Smithy” Smith (James Corden).
After sleeping together on-and-off, they had their son “Baby Neil” and began raising him between Wales and Essex.
Neil appeared aged 12, played by Oscar Hartland in the special five years ago.
It has not yet been revealed whether Nessa and Smithy tied the knot.
Teasing the return, the BBC shared an image of Mathew Horne and Joanna Page as Gavin Shipman and Stacey West, as well as Corden and Jones as their characters standing beside a wall, echoing the first season image.
The corporation said that the 2024 Christmas special sees Gavin and Stacey “looking for new ways to spice up their 17-year marriage”, while Nessa begins a new business venture.
It also sees Rob Brydon as Uncle Bryn getting his Citroen Xsara Picasso ready on Barry Island in Wales for a trip to Essex, as his sister-in-law Gwen West has been “behaving most strangely”, and Neil the Baby is set to start an “apprenticeship with his dad”.
The BBC would not comment on whether the father referred to is Smithy.
READ MORE: Failed Scottish archaeological visitor centre for sale for £150k
In Essex town Billericay, Gavin’s father Michael “Mick” Shipman (Larry Lamb) is upsetting his uptight wife Pamela Andrea “Pam” Shipman (Alison Steadman) as she is about to play hostess.
There will also be continued marital problems for Peter Sutcliffe (Adrian Scarborough) and his wife, Dawn Sutcliffe (Julia Davis).
The BBC also hinted it might solve one of the enduring mysteries on Gavin and Stacey.
“Join us on the journey to Barry and Billericay as we catch up with the Shipmans and the Wests for the very last time and maybe find out what exactly did happen on that fishing trip,” the corporation said.
Stacey’s uncle, Bryn and his nephew, Jason (Robert Wilfort), allude to the events of the “fishing trip” during the series, but all viewers know is that the two men were close before the incident and rarely spoke after it.
READ MORE: ScotRail Christmas timetable revealed with more Boxing Day services
The show was co-created by Corden and Jones, and the 90-minute special is written and executively produced by them.
The 2019 festive episode won the impact award at the National Television Awards in 2020.
It scored the highest overnight Christmas ratings in 12 years, attracting an average audience of 11.6 million viewers, making it the biggest festive special since Christmas Day 2008.
By the new year, it had been viewed by 17.1 million people, making it the biggest scripted programme of the decade at the time.
Jones went on to create and star in Sky One comedy drama Stella, while Corden fronted The Late Late Show on US TV.
What time is Gavin and Stacey on Christmas Day?
Gavin and Stacey: The Finale will air on Christmas Day on BBC One and iPlayer.
Timings are to be announced soon.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel