Gavin and Stacey returns to screens with brand new show – and it's just days away

Joanna Berry
·3-min read
Gavin and Stacey
-Credit:PA


The hugely popular comedy series Gavin & Stacey may have ended with the finale episode broadcast on Christmas Day, but there is still one new instalment of the show coming up for fans to enjoy. On New Year’s Day at 7pm, BBC One will broadcast Gavin & Stacey: A Fond Farewell, a documentary special marking the end of the show after 17 years.

The episode will chart the journey of the show which began as a little-known sitcom on BBC Three back in 2007, but grew to a series that became loved by millions. Featuring unprecedented access to creators James Corden and Ruth Jones, who are now better known as Smithy and Nessa, the documentary follows the cast and crew as they film the final episode together and say goodbye to the cherished show. It will also feature celebrity fans talking about why the series is so beloved, and there will be a look back at some of the most classic moments and characters that are so dear to fans.

James Corden
The documentary will feature a look behind the scenes of the finale -Credit:Instagram / James Corden

In an interview discussing Gavin & Stacey and its impact just before the finale was shown, Ruth Jones remembered how the show started.

READ MORE: All Gavin and Stacey finale's Easter Eggs - from sentimental beer map to romantic corn-on-the-cob

READ MORE: Love Island star sets record straight on pregnancy rumours after fans spotted 'bump'

“In the first series we just didn’t know what the series was or how it was going to look or anything so it was all a bit of a gamble, diving into the unknown,” she said. “It started off as this quiet little show on BBC Three with 500,000 viewers, we had no idea how big it would grow. I remember a couple of people texting me after the first ep went out saying ‘oh I like that new thing you’re in’ and it just felt great to have a little bit of positive feedback.”

Her co-star and co-creator James Corden notices how much has changed since he and Ruth began to write the show. “When I think back to when we started the show, almost 20 years to the day and I couldn’t feel more like a different person really. Being part of the show, as soon as it started to become successful, was incredibly intoxicating. It was discombobulating, really, cause it seemed to go from 0-10 very, very quickly but I’ve only fond memories of that whole time.”

Gavin and Stacey is back
Gavin & Stacey ran for three seasons from 2007 -Credit:(Image: BABY COW)

The very first episode aired on 13 May 2007, and Ruth still has fond memories of the first day of filming it. “Day one was filming in London on Dave’s coach with Jo Page [who plays Stacey]. It was so exciting that this show me and James had been working on for all this time was finally coming to life. Being in Leicester Square dressed as Nessa and handing Smithy a piece of pizza and both our characters taking such an instant dislike to one another, who’d have thought those two characters would go on the journey they’ve so far gone on!”

The documentary on New Year’s Day features clips from the first ever day, as well as from the three series and 2019 Christmas special and the finale.

“For the 2019 Christmas special and on this finale, we had a film crew following the entire time,” James said. “It’s very emotional watching everybody because the very last thing that we shot is the very last moment of the show. So there were a lot of tears that day and I hope that people that like the show will enjoy getting a little glimpse into it.”