16 bits of Gavin and Stacey that are so funny you'll wet yourself laughing
We've all got our favourite bits of Gavin and Stacey, the absolutely classic Welsh comedy that will be returning to our screens on Christmas Day after five years. There really were too many bits to choose from when it came to picking the funniest - but we have tried. Ruth Jones and James Corden's scripts and characters are constant comedy gold, with a turn of phrase here, a catchphrase there and all out, laugh-out-loud scenes and one liners.
Nessa, Bryn, Doris and Pam have the most quotable lines, we're not gonna lie, with some of their sayings have entered the country's psyche, with us all saying them like they were always part of our vocabulary. Many of the beloved cast will be reprising their roles for Gavin & Stacey: The Finale on Christmas Day (Wednesday, December 25).
The airing of the special episode is less than a week away, with many fans feeling excited to find out how their beloved comedy series concludes. Last time we saw the Gavin & Stacey characters was five years ago, back in another Christmas Special, which aired in 2019, where Nessa got down on one knee and asked Smithy to marry her. For the latest TV & Showbiz news, sign up to our newsletter.
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As we gear up for the grand finale, remind yourself of some of the best moments from a decade ago that will still have you giggling away. Not being funny, we probably haven't got everyone's favourite moment here. But truth be told, at the end of the day, each to their own.
1. Leeeave... NOW!
An exceptionally stressed, and sinister, Bryn leads this absolute belter of a scene that will have you screaming.
Trying to organise Gwen's surprise party is taking its toll on Bryn and when Ted comes round to confirm the village hall booking, they are interrupted by Gwen inviting the visitor in.
What ensues is the most hilariously awkward exchange. Goodbye.
2. Where's the salad?
This is probably the most iconic moment of the series. Doris couldn't be arsed making the salad for Neil the Baby's christening, because people want 'cheap crap'. She is willing Ness to come up and have a pop - she's ready with a stinger about some money Nessa has borrowed previously.
3. Smithy's Curry Order
The massive order (for posterity's sake: Chicken bhuna, lamb bhuna, prawn bhuna, mushroom rice, bag of chips and nine poppadoms), the incorrect saying of "unacceptable", the vehement stand against sharing a curry.
"A korma is futile, I won't touch it," says Smithy.
We tried this order out and you can read how we fared, here.
4. Nessa and Stacey's heart-to-heart
We know exactly what she means, right?
Nessa doesn't get soppy very often and this stream of Welsh clichés is the best you're gonna get.
5. Anything Doris
Doris is filth.
She's had a good time in life and there's nothing wrong with that. From toyboys to dating advice for Stacey, Doris is here for a good time, not a long time.
Particularly at Christmas when she loves a drink or two.
6. OH-Bama vs OH-Sama
The essential information that every baby in 2009 needed to know. So who better to deliver the message than Nessa? Delivered in her inimitable way: 'OH-Bama' and 'OH-Sama.'
7. Nessa as Father Christmas
Nessa's trademark 'OH' couldn't go without multiple mentions and the Christmas special has a cracker (sorry) especially when she has Gav to sit on her knee.
8. Dave Coaches' motto
Dave Coaches was very lax with his bus rules, but he did object to the hard stuff. I suppose you have to have standards?
9. Everything about Uncle Bryn
Just Bryn. And we'll tell you for why. Whether it's MySpace, You Tube, route planners or DVD extras, anything that comes out of Uncle Bryn's mouth is out of this world. Even his singing of James Blunt. And don't even mention the mint Baileys. We could go on and on. But we won't, go off and watch the show ahead of the final episode!
10. Pete's wedding renewal ring
"Bloody hell Pete, how much did that cost? It's disgusting!" cries Dawn as she sees the eternity ring that Pete has bought for their wedding renewal. Pete and Dawn are a constant source of awkward laughs and their love/hate relationship reaches a peak at their wedding vows renewal, where Pete quotes Coldplay and buys a disgusting ring.
As Mick says: "Where'd you buy that, Sierra Leone?" But Pete has a plan for the initial, ruby-encrusted ring - the 'P' stands for Pete AND Dawn depending which way you look at it.
11. Pam vs Edna
Christmas special 2008, Edna Sutcliffe pops up from behind Pam and Mick's bar during Noel's Christmas Presents. Pam's reaction, rolling up of a magazine as if she's going to swat a fly, is subtle comedy gold. "Stay well back, she's bitten Dawn before," she says.
The appearance of veteran actress Edna Doré is yet another nod in this episode to EastEnders. There's the not so subtle 'What time is EastEnders on?' from Mick aka Larry Lamb, who was actually in EastEnders at the time as Archie Mitchell.
12. Oh my Christ!
Pam's constant state of shock and gossip is one of the best ongoing themes in Gavin and Stacey and "Oh my Christ" has entered the national vocabulary. The way she says things, the way she reacts, Alison Steadman is pure class.
But for Three Steaks Pam it's her desperation to hold onto her 'Little Prince' that causes her to really fly off the handle. When she finds out that Gav and Stacey are getting married in Wales, she loses it: "BARRY ISLAND? Where are you going to have the reception, on the log flume?'
13. Islands in the Stream
The peak moment of a great episode, Gwen's SURPRISE barn dance , where that bitch Jean turned up, was when Uncle Bryn and Nessa serenaded the crowd with the Dolly Parton/Kenny Rogers classic. And although there are so many parts of Gavin and Stacey that are memorable, this episode has so many good parts that people remember.
14. Come on Smithy!
"Now you listen here and you listen good, look at me... "
Bryn's gym pep talk is inspiring and creepy at the same time, but not as disconcertingly hilarious and him and Smithy bellowing out each other's names and a workout to Girls Aloud's cover of Jump. And, as with most of the show, it's Gavin's reaction that makes it even funnier: "It just seems weird you and my uncle-in-law working out with your tops off and rubbing each other."
15. Mick's gonna be on the telly!
The ringaround, the excitement, the mistaken age and the "This is the best day of my life". Mick's appearance on TV is a brilliant example of a small thing growing to an absolute gem of a scene.
"A body has been found in a Billericay car park."
"WAAYYHEYY!" the assembled family cheer.
But it soon turns to disappointment: "Is that it?"
It's worth mentioning the oven glove conversation that follows, too.
16. Pete's a junkie!
Now, drugs aren't funny, of course. But Dawn's reaction after their cracking day, to Pete being given a spliff as a secret Santa present is.
"Get away from me you skag head!"
Cut to 10 minutes later Pete, Dawn, Mick and Pam are all grooving to in the living room to 10CC's Dreadlock Holiday.
Gavin & Stacey: The Finale will air on Christmas Day at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
