Gavin & Stacey
- TV sitcom
- BBC One / BBC Three
- 2007 - 2019
- 21 episodes (3 series)
A critic-pleasing, gentle and warm comedy about the romance between an Essex lad and Welsh girl. Stars Mathew Horne, Joanna Page, Ruth Jones, James Corden, Alison Steadman and more.
- Due to return for The Finale
- Series 2, Christmas Special repeated Saturday 30th November at 8:40pm on U&Gold
Streaming rank this week: 159
Episode menu
Christmas Special
Further details
It's been ten years since we last went to Billericay to spend Christmas with the Shipmans and the Wests.
This year we're off to Wales for the festivities, where Bryn's cooking dinner for over thirteen people. Understandably he's tense. Pam would secretly prefer to spend Christmas in Essex as she finds Gwen's house a bit lacking. But the deal has always been that they alternate every year, and this time it's the turn of the Wests to host Christmas with everyone under one small roof.
For Gavin and Stacey, parenthood continues to present them with several challenges, their 'baby' now being ten. Smithy, too, continues to commit to his fatherly role, making the journey to Barry at weekends and every second Wednesday to see twelve year-old Neil.
Nessa on the other hand adopts her own brand of Nessa-style mothering whilst Pam, Mick and Gwen have become the epitome of doting grandparents.
On Christmas Eve, Dawn makes a shocking discovery about Pete that jeopardises their marriage (again) and a visit to the pub that night is an eye opener in more ways than one.
Notes
This episode is dedicated "in loving memory" to Margaret John, 1926 - 2011.
Broadcast details
- Date
- Wednesday 25th December 2019
- Time
- 8:30pm
- Channel
- BBC One
- Length
- 60 minutes
Cast & crew
| Mathew Horne | Gavin |
| Joanna Page | Stacey |
| Ruth Jones | Nessa |
| James Corden | Smithy |
| Alison Steadman | Pam |
| Larry Lamb | Mick |
| Melanie Walters | Gwen |
| Rob Brydon | Bryn |
| Julia Davis | Dawn |
| Adrian Scarborough | Pete |
| Robert Wilfort | Jason |
| Oscar Hartland | Neil the Baby |
| Laura Aikman | Sonia |
| Youssef Kerkour | Emlyn |
| Kyle Lima | Darren |
| Gabriel Mitell | Harri |
| Maddison Belle Platt | Megan |
| Martha Tregonning | Caitlin |
| James Corden | Writer |
| Ruth Jones | Writer |
| Christine Gernon | Director |
| Sarah Fraser | Producer |
| Ruth Jones | Executive Producer |
| James Corden | Executive Producer |
| David Peet | Executive Producer |
| Leo Pearlman | Executive Producer |
| Ben Winston | Executive Producer |
| Jon Williams | Line Producer |
| Christine Gernon | Co-Executive Producer |
| Liana Del Giudice | Editor |
| David Ferris | Production Designer |
| Lauren Evans | Casting Director |
| Shan James | Costume Designer |
| Ian Adrian | Director of Photography |
| Alyn Waterman | Make-up Designer |
| Steve Roberts | 1st Assistant Director |
| Kate Daughton | Commissioning Editor |
| Shane Allen | Commissioning Editor |
Videos
Christmas special sneak peek
Bryn is having a stressful time getting the Christmas Dinner ready.
Featuring: Joanna Page (Stacey) & Rob Brydon (Bryn).
Trailer
Gavin & Stacey is back!
Featuring: Mathew Horne (Gavin), Joanna Page (Stacey), Ruth Jones (Nessa), James Corden (Smithy), Alison Steadman (Pam), Larry Lamb (Mick), Melanie Walters (Gwen), Rob Brydon (Bryn) & Julia Davis (Dawn).
Bryn's cringe story at Christmas drinks
The whole family is back together only to get suck in one of Bryn's stories.
Featuring: Mathew Horne (Gavin), Joanna Page (Stacey), Ruth Jones (Nessa), James Corden (Smithy), Alison Steadman (Pam), Larry Lamb (Mick), Melanie Walters (Gwen) & Rob Brydon (Bryn).
Behind the scenes on Gavin & Stacey
Behind the scenes of the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special with this exclusive making of featurette.
Featuring: James Corden (Smithy).
Press
Gavin & Stacey removes Fairytale of New York slur
A repeat of last year's Gavin & Stacey Christmas special will be edited to remove an offensive slur from a scene featuring Fairytale of New York by The Pogues.
Louis Chilton, The Independent, 24th December 2020Gavin & Stacey biggest TV show outside sport & news
The Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special was watched by an audience of 18.5m, becoming the biggest TV programme outside of sporting and national events since records began in 2002.
BBC, 27th January 2020Gavin & Stacey could be denied award over homophobia
It was by far the most-watched TV show of last year and won widespread critical acclaim. But Gavin & Stacey could be denied a major broadcasting award after judges were warned that it was homophobic and 'problematic'.
Chris Hastings, Mail on Sunday, 26th January 2020BBC defends controversial episode of Gavin & Stacey
The BBC has issued another statement defending the use of the word "faggot" in the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special, after it was revealed that the incident drew more than 800 complaints.
Roisin O'Connor, The Independent, 10th January 2020Gavin & Stacey most-watched TV comedy in 17 years
The Gavin and Stacey Christmas special was the UK's most-watched scripted TV programme of the 2010s, new audience figures show.
BBC, 2nd January 2020Gavin & Stacey special 'has been watched for 80 years'
New figures have revealed that the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special has already been watched for the equivalent of more than eight decades on the BBC iPlayer.
Female First, 31st December 2019Gavin & Stacey Xmas Special got 11 Ofcom complaints
This year's Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special only received 11 Ofcom complaints over using a homophobic slur despite hundreds of complaints on social media.
Nika Shakhnazarova, The Mirror, 27th December 2019The Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special review
A rotund man who laughs at everything and just keeps giving gifts has saved Christmas. Yes, James Corden has united Britain in sitting on the sofa to watch the Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special. It was the biggest hit of the day and could go on to become the most watched show of the year.
Shouting At The Telly, 27th December 2019Review: Gavin & Stacey Christmas special
Nothing could bring a lump to the throat like this moment.
Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail, 26th December 2019Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special, BBC One
A big cwtch from Barry.
Veronica Lee, The Arts Desk, 26th December 2019Gavin & Stacey: Bringing a crackin' Christmas to Barry
Oh! What's occurring? Christmas on Barry Island, that's what. Ten years since we left the fab four - Gavin, Stacey, Nessa and Smithy - on the Welsh seafront, they're back with a festive special that will have you cackling over your Christmas pudding and blubbing into your Babycham. Probably at the same time.
Emma Saunders, BBC, 25th December 2019Gavin and Stacey Christmas special review
The Billericay-Barry massive are back. And we won't tell a lie ... in these less innocent times, they are most welcome.
Lucy Mangan, The Guardian, 25th December 2019Gavin & Stacey Christmas special, review
James Corden and Ruth Jones reunite to remind us of a kinder sort of comedy.
Ed Cumming, The Independent, 25th December 2019Gavin & Stacey Christmas special 2019, review
A funny, poignant and perfectly pitched return for one of the best comedies of recent years.
Anita Singh, The Telegraph, 25th December 2019I talk Gavin & Stacey, Christmas Special 2019
After a 10-year absence, Gavin & Stacey returned with its best episode yet. Full of warmth, heart and humour it felt as if our favourite characters from Barry and Billericay had never been away.
Elliot Gonzalez, I Talk Telly, 25th December 2019Gavin & Stacey: A Special Christmas review
The Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special is full of love and laughs, and leaves room for another return visit to Barry Island. Spoilers ahead...
Juliette Harrisson, Den Of Geek, 25th December 2019Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special review
Is the door open for more Gavin & Stacey?
Jo Berry, Digital Spy, 25th December 2019Gavin & Stacey: Behind the scenes, Xmas reunion filmed
Gavin and Stacey, the sitcom which made stars of James Corden and Ruth Jones, returns to TV screens on Christmas Day. On New Year's Day in 2010 more than 10 million people tuned in for the show's finale. BBC Breakfast were the only people invited on set during filming, back in July, when the cast were having to pretend that it was Christmas during an extreme heatwave. Colin Paterson went to Barry to find out what was occurring.
Colin Paterson, BBC, 24th December 2019TV preview: Gavin And Stacey, BBC One
It's the big Christmas Day comedy for 2019 and it's ten years since it last went out. No pressure then. Actually quite a lot of pressure.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 24th December 2019Ruth Jones: Gavin & Stacey Xmas special is Brexit free
It could be the perfect distraction for families sulking after a day of political squabbling. The show's creator Ruth Jones tells Adrian Lobb we could all use a bit of its trademark warmth.
Adrian Lobb, The Big Issue, 23rd December 2019Rob Brydon: 'James Corden lost his way for a bit.'
The Welsh actor-comedian returns to Barry this year in the much-anticipated Gavin & Stacey Christmas special. He talks to Alexandra Pollard about Bryn's sexuality, his James Corden intervention, and why there's no point complaining when things aren't fair.
Alexandra Pollard, The Independent, 21st December 2019Mathew Horne and Joanna Page interview
The return is major news as the two families unite for Christmas in Barry a decade on.
Alice Jones, i Newspaper, 21st December 2019Alison Steadman on Gavin & Stacey
"Sorry, I'm banging on now." This the last thing Alison Steadman says to me. "You've opened a door and you're sorry you've done it, aren't you?"
Teddy Jamieson, The National (Scotland), 21st December 2019Interview: Mathew Horne
"My dream dinner party? My mother and me. She passed away this year."
Rosanna Greenstreet, The Guardian, 21st December 2019What's a-cursing? Gavin & Stacey to air Pogues' f-word
The BBC has been accused of normalising homophobic language by including the word "faggot" in a rendition of the Pogues' Christmas song, Fairytale of New York.
Grant Tucker, The Times, 21st December 2019Joanna Page lets slip massive Gavin & Stacey spoiler
Gavin and Stacey star Joanna Page has let slip a massive spoiler ahead of the highly anticipated Christmas special.
Kyle O'Sullivan, The Mirror, 17th December 2019Gavin and Stacey return left Rob Brydon 'flabbergasted'
Rob Brydon says he had no clue there were plans for a Gavin and Stacey Christmas special until after the script was written.
BBC, 10th December 2019Review: Gavin & Stacey Christmas special
Tidy! It's like your favourite relatives turning up at Christmas.
Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail, 7th December 2019Preview: Gavin & Stacey Christmas special
"It's like old times, isn't it, babe?" Mathew Horne's Gavin says at the start of this festive episode, which has been a very long time coming.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 3rd December 2019Russell Tovey won't be back for Gavin & Stacey
Russell Tovey has confirmed he will not reprise his role as Budgie for this year's Gavin & Stacey Christmas special, because his character "wasn't written back".
Female First, 29th October 2019