Gavin & Stacey Christmas special 2024: everything we know

Members of the Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special cast stood together: Smithy (James Corden), Stacey (Joanna Page), Gavin (Matthew Horne) and Nessa (Ruth Jones) (L-R)
(Image credit: BBC)

The Gavin & Stacey Christmas special 2024 is on its way, in what will be the final ever episode of the beloved sitcom.

Well, they say it's the final ever episode but given its creators, James Corden and Ruth Jones aren't that old, they might at some point be tempted to make another episode. But for now they’re saying it's the final one.

The BBC press office confirmed the worst kept secret in showbiz earlier this year that the comedy was coming back in a tweet, saying: "We'll have: A chicken bhuna, lamb bhuna, prawn bhuna, mushroom rice, bag of chips, keema naan, nine poppadoms and the last ever episode of Gavin and Stacey!!! Coming this Christmas Day on @BBCOne and @BBCiPlayer”.

Filming is taking place in the autumn. Here's everything we know about the Christmas TV highlight…

Gavin & Stacey Christmas special 2024: release date

Tv tonight Gavin and Stacey celebrate Christmas

(Image credit: BBC)

The BBC has confirmed that the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special 2024 will air on Christmas Day on BBC One. We don’t have an exact time as yet.

Plot

The BBC's director of comedy Jon Petrie has described it as a "brilliant idea and a brilliant story". But as to what actually happens the show’s makers are desperately trying to ensure no spoilers leak out. The last episode, also a Christmas special, went out nearly five years ago, picking up a quite remarkable audience of over 18 million viewers. 

And of course, it ended on one hell of a cliffhanger. In the final moments, Nessa and Smithy enjoyed a smoke and smiled about Neil being 12 soon. It wasn't quite Bridgerton, but Nessa did make one big heartfelt speech: "You know you're all right as you are Smithy. I won't lie, you're not everyone's cup of tea. But at the end of the day, when all said and done you're tidy… I knows it's been complicated, you and me… but I love you… no Smithy, you’re not listening. I know it’s weird like, but I do, with all my heart. So… will you marry me?”

Quite where the story will pick up after that moment is unclear. Will Smithy and Nessa be a married couple? Or did Smithy turn her down? Nearer the time we should get some first-look pictures which will give us more of a clue as to where the story is going…

Cast

James Corden returns as Smithy with Ruth Jones as Nessa. Also expected to return are Mathew Horne as Gavin, Joanna Page as Stacey, Rob Brydon as Bryn, Larry Lamb as Mick, Alison Steadman as Pam and Melanie Walters as Gwen. It's also thought that Sheridan Smith could return as Smithy’s sister Rudi.

Is there a trailer?

No, not yet. 

David Hollingsworth
Editor

David is the What To Watch Editor and has over 20 years of experience in television journalism. He is currently writing about the latest television and film news for What To Watch.

Before working for What To Watch, David spent many years working for TV Times magazine, interviewing some of television's most famous stars including Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland, singer Lionel Richie and wildlife legend Sir David Attenborough. 

David started out as a writer for TV Times before becoming the title's deputy features editor and then features editor. During his time on TV Times, David also helped run the annual TV Times Awards. David is a huge Death in Paradise fan, although he's still failed to solve a case before the show's detective! He also loves James Bond and controversially thinks that Timothy Dalton was an excellent 007.

Other than watching and writing about telly, David loves playing cricket, going to the cinema, trying to improve his tennis and chasing about after his kids!