Gavin & Stacey Christmas episode confirmed; James Corden and Ruth Jones say special will be final episode ever

It was confirmed in Deadline's scoop from earlier this year that another Gavin and Stacey The Christmas special currently in the works has been approved and will be the last of this successful comedy.

In the final minutes, co-creators James Corden and Ruth Jones posted on Instagram: “News… It’s official!!! We have the final episode of Gavin and Stacey. See you on Christmas Day, BBC One. Love, Ruth and James.”

More from Deadline

Deadline announced several weeks ago that the episode was in the works, although several members of the cast were quick to try to downplay our story. The special is being produced by Baby Cow, Corden's Fulwell 73 and Ruth Jones' Tidy Productions.

Gavin and Stacey is undoubtedly one of the most popular British sitcoms of all time and the 2019 Christmas special was the most watched show of the decade with over 18 million viewers.

The last Christmas special, which aired nearly five years ago, ended on a cliffhanger that saw Nessa (Jones) propose to the ever-sassy but lovable Smithy (Corden). That cliffhanger has led to rampant rumors over the past few years that Corden and Jones would return to the show, and those rumors have only grown louder with Corden's return to the UK, where he ended his eight-year career. Late Late Show Stay in the States.

We expect cameras to roll in the summer. Deadline has been told that the majority of the main cast will likely return. Aside from Corden and Jones Gavin and Stacey Stars Matthew Horne and Joanna Page play the title roles along with an ensemble cast that includes Rob Brydon, Alison Steadman, Larry Lamb and Julia Davis.

Following the ups and downs of the title characters and their beloved families and friends, and making the Welsh seaside town of Barry and the Essex town of Billericay famous, the series began as a small sitcom on BBC Three in 2007 but quickly gained a cult following and moved to BBC One.

The series ran for three seasons from 2007 to 2010, winning a BAFTA and airing a popular Christmas special in 2009. The BBC hopes Gavin and Stacey can give the previously quiet Christmas celebrations a little boost, with the most watched programme in 2023 being the King’s Christmas message, followed by a Be sure to come and dance Special broadcast that was watched by just over 5 million people.

The 2019 Christmas special was not without controversy. In the episode, Nessa and Bryn, played by Brydon, sang a karaoke duet of “Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues, which included a homophobic slur that was not faded out. The slur was removed from BBC iPlayer and was also removed from repeats of the show the following year.

The best of Deadline

Subscribe to the Deadline newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.