Will there be a Gavin & Stacey Christmas special this year?

Multiple cast members have been clear that they would be up for returning again to clear up that cliffhanger, which saw Nessa propose to Smithy - for instance, Pam and Mick stars Alison Steadman and Larry Lamb were clear that they'd be looking to return for a special but not a full run of episodes.

Speaking to Radio Times magazine last year, Steadman said: "I’d like to do another, but I don’t know if I could do seven episodes. A special would be great fun and it wouldn’t be too draining and exhausting. The Christmas special cliffhanger ending was brilliant. I was really touched and moved by it."

This week, it looked like we finally had an update, and that all of our favourites from the show would be returning. However, Ruth Jones later made a clarification, seeming to put initial reports of a special for this year to rest.

So, when (if ever) can we expect Gavin & Stacey to return? And where can you watch the 2019 special in the meantime? Read on to find out.

Will there be a Gavin and Stacey Christmas special in 2024?

It's currently unclear whether a Gavin & Stacey Christmas special will air in 2024.

On 13th February 2024, it was reported by Deadline that a new special was in development/pre-production, and that it was expected to film in the Summer for a Christmas release, with most of the central cast expected to return.

However, the next day co-creator Ruth Jones downplayed the report, calling the idea that the show would be returning this year a "rumour".

Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1, Jones said: "If there was something to say, James [Corden] and I would happily announce it."
Fans have noted that Jones didn't outright deny that a special could be on the horizon, keeping some hope alive - however, it seems that any announcement or confirmation regarding a new instalment of the show is far from imminent.

Previously, Jones told Times Radio's Mariella Frostrup that she and Corden have "got nothing in the diary to get writing, but I think we will definitely write something together again, because I think that it would be a shame not to".

"Obviously, with him coming back to the UK then we've got more chance of getting together. There are no plans to write more Gavin & Stacey... I like the idea of leaving it where we left it, if I'm honest."

Meanwhile, Gavin star Mathew Horne said last year that he doesn't see that 2019 Christmas cliffhanger being resolved, telling RadioTimes.com: "I very much doubt it will be addressed."

Lamb previously told Radio Times magazine that a special would be an ideal solution, saying: "It’s like getting the family together again, so absolutely yes to another one. But a one-hour special, which is three weeks of really intense work, that will do me."

In 2022, Gavin & Stacey co-creator Corden claimed that the last few times he had spoken with Jones they hadn't "even mentioned it, really", but added that "she’ll know when it’s right and together we’ll figure it out".

He continued: "If – if – that ever happens, but I do think it’s a big 'if', I don’t think it’s a 'when'."

Will the 2019 Gavin and Stacey Christmas special be shown this year?

We're still a long way out from the 2024 festive period, so we don't yet know whether the 2019 Christmas special will feature in the BBC's schedule. We'll update this page nearer the time if it does appear in the schedule.

You can, however, watch it, as well as the comedy's three full seasons and the 2008 Christmas special, on BBC iPlayer.

What happened in the 2019 Gavin and Stacey Christmas special?

The special left much up in the air, from what happened in the boat trip to whether Smithy (Corden) said yes when Nessa got down on one knee and proposed.

Before all that, however, the special caught up with the main gang 10 years after the last episode aired, with the Shipmans and the Wests headed to Wales for the festive season.

Gwen and Bryn were on hosting duties, and we learned that Gavin (Mathew Horne) and Stacey (Joanna Page) are still married and now have three lovely children.

Smithy comes to Wales often to see his son Neil and co-parent with Nessa, which obviously makes for some hilarious moments, especially when Smithy's new girlfriend Sonia is added to the mix.

Of course, the pair managed to work things out. Or at least it appeared that way, since we don't know whether they actually got engaged at the end of the episode.

Gavin and Stacey is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. Looking for something else to watch? Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what's on tonight.

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