Everything you need to know about the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special 2024

WARNING: The following article contains potential spoilers for the new Christmas special of Gavin & Stacey

The much-anticipated return of Gavin & Stacey is fast approaching. The filming for the upcoming Christmas special, which has been confirmed as the BBC show's finale, has finally concluded.

All the cast members, including show creators Ruth Jones and James Corden, are expected to reprise their roles in the new episode. There's also a buzz about Sheridan Smith making an appearance. She hasn't portrayed Rudi on the show since 2009.

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With the finale on the horizon, we've taken a look at everything you need to know about the Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special 2024. But, bear in mind, some of this information might include spoilers. The information doesn't give away any details of the plot, but it may feature the return of a fan favourite, filming locations and what we can expect while we watch the finale. If you don't want to read any of this kind of information, look away now!

This is the 'last ever' episode

This might be stating the obvious, but the finale is well and truly the final episode of the hit TV show, which may come as a shock for many of its ardent fans who have loved the show from the very beginning. Gavin & Stacey first began in May, 2007 - over 17 years ago. Following three series, the TV show had supposedly come to an end in 2010 where we saw its main character Gavin (Mathew Horne), Stacey (Joanna Page), Nessa (Ruth Jones) and Smithy (James Corden) together at Barry Island.

The series has had two Christmas Specials - one in December, 2008, and another in December, 2019, the latter of which garnered over 18 million UK viewers and left us on a cliffhanger when Nessa proposed to Smithy. Now the final episode will be aired on Christmas Day (Wednesday, December 25) of this year.

When it was confirmed that the show was coming back in May of this year, Smithy star Corden posted a picture of himself and Ruth on Instagram with the caption: "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."

Following Corden's announcement of the news, Joanna Page, who plays Stacey in the comedy, wrote: "O my god it’s happening!!! So excited!!! Last ever Gavin and Stacey! Christmas Day @bbcone Can’t wait to start filming!!" While Jason actor, Robert Wilfort added: "Here we go then!"

Other cast members have also spoken about the prospect of this being the "last ever" episode. Appearing on an episode of Woman's Hour, which was aired on BBC Radio Four on Wednesday, October 9, Alison Steadman, who plays Pam, said there were "many tears" as they concluded filming for the comedy show. For the latest TV & Showbiz news, sign up to our newsletter.

She said: "There were many tears - I have to say when we finished because we are all so close and the filming has all been really wonderful. It really has. Each character we played - me and Larry Lamb playing Mick and Pam, it’s been a real experience over 17 years from when we did the first series. It can't get better than that. It has to go down as one of my favourite, fun jobs."

It's going to be an emotional one

The cast has remained very tight-lipped about what will happen in the final ever episode, with many fans desperate to know if Smithy says yes to Nessa's proposal. While on ITV's Good Morning Britain, Larry Lamb, who plays beloved character Mick on the hit sitcom, teased the ending of the final ever episode of the show.

Talking to hosts Ed Balls and Susanna Reid, Larry said: "You become a family... it was a whole trip down memory lane because suddenly there we are and we are facing the fact that effectively this is the end of this adventure, the end of this journey and it was so emotional." He then added: "Chronologically we were filming on the last day, on the last day of filming, we were filming the end of the story which is so unusual... the end comes bursting out at you and it is just beautiful, really beautiful."

The cast members reprising their roles

The show would not be the same without the fab four. Ruth Jones, who plays Nessa, Joanna Page who plays Stacey, Mathew Horne who plays Gavin and James Corden who plays Smithy have all been spotted during recent filming.

Other cast members spotted include Larry Lamb, who plays Mick, his on-screen wife Pam, played by Alison Steadman, Melanie Walters, who plays Gwen, and Rob Brydon, who plays the iconic Uncle Bryn.

But other beloved cast members have been spotted too, including Julia Davis who plays Dawn, her on-screen husband Pete, who is played by Adrian Scarborough, Steffan Rhodri who plays Dave Coaches, Robert Wilfort as Stacey's brother Jason, and Oscar Hartland who plays Neil The Baby.

It has also been confirmed that the one and only Sheridan Smith has reprised her role as Smithy's sister - Rudi. Sheridan didn't return for the 2019 Christmas special, and opened up about not taking part in it to Radio 2, saying: "I’m not going to be in it. I don't think, anyway. Like everyone, I can't wait to watch the Christmas special. I’m so proud to have been a part of something so special." But many fans will be delighted to see the cheeky younger sibling return to our screens.

And a potentially new cast member

Meanwhile, Motherland and Line of Duty star, Anna Maxwell Martin, was spotted seemingly joining James Corden et al as filming was underway in Bridgend county in September. Pictures of Anna, who starred with co-creator James in the Old Vic production of The Constituent over the summer, with Mathew Horne were seen on Twitter via @camjmes0's account.

The filming locations

Hundreds of fans descended on Barry to catch a glimpse of the much-anticipated sitcom's production. However, some scenes for the festive episode remained hidden from even the most dedicated superfans.

The cast and crew were seen filming in various locations around south east Wales. Fans initially spotted filming down in Barry Island, where Nessa was seen riding a rickshaw with Stacey at the back.

Filming also took place on Trinity Street in Barry, where Gwen and Uncle Bryn lived in the sitcom. The cast came out to talk and thank fans for their support after filming wrapped up at the location in September. Meanwhile, Dave Coaches was seen hitting an unexpected snag and getting stuck in the mud while en route to somewhere - it is unclear if this was part of the script or not.

And the female cast were seen all dressed up for a scene. Those who are familiar with Barry, were able to spot that filming for this scene took place near The Pumphouse in Hood Road.