Gavin & Stacey Christmas special: All we know about the finale including why it's ending now
By Robert Emlyn Slater | Fri Jan 17 2025Oh! Oh! Gavin & Stacey: the Finale is the jewel in Christmas Day 2024's TV crown.
There won't be a dry eye from Barry Island to Billericay as we gather with the Shipmans and Wests one last time.
But what's occurring? The last Christmas special - back in 2019 - of course ended on a cliffhanger as Nessa proposed to Smithy. But did he say yes?
Read on for everything we know about the last ever Gavin & Stacey Christmas special five years on.
What happened in the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special 2019?
The last time we saw Gavin, Stacey, Nessa, Smithy, and co. was on Christmas Day in 2019.
The families gathered for Christmas, and we were not only introduced to a grown-up Neil the Baby, but also to Gavin and Stacey's three children,
Harri, Caitlin, and Megan.
The 2019 episode was also where viewers had the displeasure of meeting Smithy's new girlfriend, Sonia.
And who can forget that ending, as Nessa got down on one knee in front of Smithy and asked him to marry her?
Gavin & Stacey Christmas special 2024 - so what happens then?
Of course, Gavin and Stacey: the Finale is shrouded in mystery, but some secrets have been let slip.
The BBC's synopsis reads: "It’s five years since we left Nessa down on one knee declaring her love for Smithy and asking him to marry her. And a lot has happened in those five years.
"In Barry, Bryn’s packing the Picasso in readiness for a trip to Essex; Stacey and Gavin are looking for new ways to spice up their 17-year marriage and Gwen is behaving most strangely. Nessa’s started a new business venture and Neil the Baby’s about to begin an apprenticeship with his dad.
"Over in Billericay Pam is stressing out at the prospect of playing hostess, not helped by a newly retired Mick practicing his golf swings in the living room and there have been more ups and downs in Pete and Dawn’s relationship.
"Join us on the journey to Barry and Billericay as we catch up with the Shipmans and the Wests for the very last time and maybe find out what exactly did happen on that fishing trip."
Sounds lush, eh? But finally learning the truth about the fishing trip? We'll believe that when we see it!
Who is in the cast of Gavin & Stacey: the Finale?
All our favourites will be back for the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special in 2024.
Mathew Horne, Joanna Page, Ruth Jones, and James Corden all reprise their roles as Gavin, Stacey, Nessa, and Smithy.
Alison Steadman and Larry Lamb will return as Pam and Mick Shipman, with Rob Brydon and Melanie Walters as Uncle Bryn and Gwen west.
Julia Davis and Adrian Scarborough are also back as feuding couple Dawn and Pete.
Oscar Hartland, who played Neil the Baby when he was an actual baby, and in the 2019 reunion, is also back for the 2024 Christmas special.
Why Gavin & Stacey is ending after the Christmas special in 2024
Many will be wondering why the series is coming to an end this year.
Ruth Jones and James Corden explained their thinking behind finally bringing the beloved series to a close.
They said they believed it to be "the right time to end things for the characters".
Ruth added that once viewers watch Gavin & Stacey: the Finale, they'll understand what the show is over for good. Tease!
When the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special 2024 is on
Gavin & Stacey: the Finale will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 9pm on Christmas Day.
A documentary about the series, Gavin & Stacey: A Fond Farewell will air on BBC One at 7pm on New Year's Day 2025.
