Gavin and Stacey to return
One last episode on Christmas Day, James Corden confirms
Gavin and Stacey is to return for one last episode on Christmas Day.
James Corden broke the news on his Instagram page, posing with co-writer Ruth Jones and a copy of the script.
He wrote: ‘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.’
The episode will air five years after the last Christmas episode, which ended with Jones’s character Nessa confessing to Corden’s Smithy that she is in love with him, getting down on one knee to propose. But viewers were left on a cliffhanger as they did not get to hear his response.
More than 17million people watched that special either live or in the week following transmission, making it the biggest scripted programme of the decade.
Joanna Page, who plays Stacey, said she was 'so excited' to start filming.
Speaking to actress Natalie Cassidy on their BBC podcast Off The Telly, the sitcom star said: 'I’m so excited to see the gang again and start filming, and I can’t wait to find out if Smithy has said yes. I can’t wait to find out what’s happening to everybody!
'I’m going to have to keep that script away from your little paws but yeah we are going to be able to review it on our show at Christmas and I will be very cross if you aren’t sitting down on Christmas Day watching me!'
Reports that the show would return for one more special – made by Steve Coogan’s Baby Cow company along with Jones’ Tidy Productions and Fulwell 73, which is co-owned by Corden – first emerged in February, but were unconfirmed at the time.
Last month, Jones refused to directly answer questions about a long hoped-for additional episode, telling Zoe Ball on her Radio 2 programme: 'James and I think those characters exist and that Nessa is still working down the slots in Barry Island. We like to think that their lives are carrying on.'
Asked directly about a return, she said: 'Who knows? You never say never in this world, do you?'
Corden quit his US talk show The Late Late Show last year to return to Britain, saying he wanted to spend more time with his wife, Julia, and their three children.
Gavin and Stacey, starring Mathew Horne and Joanna Page in the title roles, originally ran for three series totalling 20 episodes, from 2007 to 2010. Co-stars include Alison Steadman, Larry Lamb, Melanie Walters, Rob Brydon and Julia Davis.
Lamb tweeted this morning: 'Well just to say to everyone who’s asked about another G&S … we just got the word from the BBC this morning… it’s definitely occurrin!!' and adding: 'They’ve done it again.. those two dream weavers!!'
Filming is expected to take place this summer.
Published: 3 May 2024
