James Corden pleasantly shocked fans of the beloved British sitcom Gavin and Stacey, announcing a final episode set to air on Christmas Day.
Co-written by Corden and Ruth Jones, the show revolves around two families, one in Billericay, Essex, and the other in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan. Its main characters, Gavin and Stacey, are portrayed by Mathew Horne and Joanna Page, while Corden and Jones depict their friends Smithy and Nessa.
Corden shared the news on Instagram alongside a photo of him and Jones holding a script labeled “Gavin and Stacey: The Finale.” The caption confirmed the completion of the last episode’s script, inviting viewers to tune in on Christmas Day.
Originally airing on BBC Three before transitioning to BBC One due to its growing popularity, Gavin and Stacey concluded in 2010, before making a triumphant return with a Christmas special in 2019, updating fans on the characters’ lives after a nine-year hiatus.
The previous Christmas special left audiences on the edge of their seats as Nessa finally professed her love for Smithy and proposed to him, with his response hanging in the balance. This cliffhanger episode garnered massive ratings, becoming the most-watched non-sporting event in a decade in the UK with nearly 20 million viewers tuning in.
Joanna Page as Stacey Shipman
The Welsh actress’s career began in stage-based roles, predominantly in costume dramas for the Royal National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company. Her transition to film included notable appearances in From Hell, Love Actually, and Miss Julie.
But her breakthrough came with Bafta-winning Gavin & Stacey, in which she has portrayed Stacey Shipman across three series from 2007 to 2010.
Beyond acting, Page has co-presented BBC One’s consumer series Shop Well for Less with Melanie Sykes since 2023, and has joined “Loose Women” as a regular panelist.
Matthew Horne as Gavin Shipman
The English actor, comedian, singer, television presenter, and narrator, started his career in comedy as part of the duo Mat and MacKinnon, and performing at the Edinburgh Fringe. He gained recognition through the festival, leading to appearances on The Catherine Tate Show and its subsequent specials. His TV credits also include Channel 4’s 20 Things to do Before You’re 30, Channel 4’s Teachers, and BBC’s Doc Martin.
In Gavin & Stacey, Horne has earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of kind-hearted protagonist Gavin. His collaboration with James Corden extended to presenting gigs such as Big Brother’s Big Mouth and the BBC sketch show Horne & Corden, before the duo starred together in the comedy horror film Lesbian Vampire Killers, which received mixed reviews.
James Cordon as Neil “Smithy” Smith
The actor, comedian, singer, writer, producer, and former television host gained prominence as the co-creator of Gavin and Stacey, in which he plays the happy-go lucky Smithy.
Across the Atlantic he became well known as the affable host of The Late Late Show, and Carpool Karaoke, a segment he originated in 2011, became a global sensation.
Corden has gone on to host the Brit Awards, Tony Awards, and Grammy Awards. He anchored Sky One’s sports comedy panel show A League of Their Own from 2010 to 2019.
Corden’s filmography includes roles in movies like Gulliver’s Travels, Kill Your Friends, and voicing the titular character in Peter Rabbit and its sequel.
Ruth Jones as Vanessa Shanessa “Nessa” Jenkins
The actress, comedian, writer, and producer has gained widespread acclaim for co-writing and co-starring in Gavin & Stacey, playing Nessa, Stacey’s oldest friend.
Jones co-created astarred in Sky One comedy-drama Stella from 2012 to 2017, earning nominations for the Bafta Award for Best Female Comedy Performance and winning the Bafta Cymru Award for Best Screenwriter.
When asked about the reports of a return to Gavin and Stacey, she previously told RTE Radio: “Apparently there’s a bidding war going on between the BBC and Netflix and I love it because it says ‘a source says’, who is this source?”
“It’s sadly a rumour… All I can say is, if there was something to say on that front, James and I would happily announce it, we would.”