10 Facts About the Gavin and Stacey 2024 Christmas Special

Gavin & Stacey has been delighting audiences since it first aired on BBC One in 2007. After 17 years of sporadically appearing on TV, the hit British sitcom will conclude on Christmas Day 2024 to the delight and dismay of its fans.

People up and down the country will likely shed a tear when saying goodbye to their favourite fictional characters.

However, the BAFTA Award-winning show will finally provide some much-needed closure from the 2019 Christmas special cliffhanger.

If you are excited about the finale, here are ten facts you must know about the Gavin and Stacey 2024 Christmas Special.

1. Sheridan Smith Will Return as Rudi

Gavin & Stacy fans were disappointed when Smithy’s sister, Rudi, didn’t appear in the 2019 Christmas Special.

After all, her character has provided the show with many of its best moments, from the “American boy” rap to the new suit fight.

At the time, Sheridan Smith, who plays Rudi, expressed her disappointment at her absence but she will return to the show after 14 years away.

It will be the first time Sheridan Smith and James Corden will have shared the screen since they broke up in 2009.

A source stated, “Sheridan was over the moon she could go back into the fold and her scenes are brilliant.”

Also, they stated she slipped back into her character’s shoes as if “no time had passed at all”.

According to reports, Sheridan and James have remained on friendly terms since their split and recently chatted at the Variety Club Awards.

2. There Might Be a Wedding

Many fans are likely hoping Nessa and Smithy walk down the aisle, and it appears their wish might have come true.

The cast was recently snapped wearing wedding attire on set, with James Corden wearing a groomsman suit and looking the most dapper of them all.

However, Smithy could be the best man at Rudi’s wedding, or maybe Dawn and Pete are renewing their vows again.

3. Dave Coaches is Back

Steffan Rhodri who played Dave Coaches, Nessa’s ex-fiancé, might have been absent from the 2019 Christmas Special, but he’ll be back on screen for the Gavin & Stacey finale on Christmas Day.

The Welsh actor was snapped on set, causing fans to speculate that he might attend Nessa and Smithy’s wedding or may have reconnected with his ex.

We’ll need to wait until Christmas Day for the answer.

4. The Finale is Set Five Years After the Last Special

If you’re hoping to pick up where you left off on the 2024 Christmas Special, you might be disappointed.

The Gavin and Stacey finale will be set five years after the 2019 Christmas Special, meaning much time will have passed and various stories could have unfolded.

Could Smithy have rejected Nessa’s proposal? Maybe they’re already married? Maybe they’ve had a long engagement? Maybe Bryn and Jason have had another fishing trip?

5. Neil the Baby isn’t a Baby Anymore

Oscar Hartland, who plays Neil the Baby, is expected to slip back into his role as Neil the Baby. The young actor was snapped on set alongside James Corden.

However, he’s not the baby-faced kid you will remember from the 2019 Christmas Special, as he’s now a 15-year-old boy, rivalling his on-screen dad Smithy in height.

6. There Was a Script Leak

As excited as fans are to learn if Smithy said “yes” to Nessa’s proposal, or to finally learn what happened on the fishing trip, the last thing audiences might want are spoilers before the Gavin & Stacey finale.

Unfortunately, it appears the show has experienced a major script leak, as photographs were reportedly snapped of James Corden’s script on set.

All cast members were instructed to hold their scripts tight and to remain on high alert to avoid spoilers.

7. The BBC Increased Set Security

Following the script leak, the BBC didn’t hesitate to bolster security on set to keep the Gavin and Stacy Christmas Special 2024 plot a secret.

As hundreds of fans have turned out to catch a glimpse of the much-loved cast, producers have reportedly added restrictions and warned the cast and crew to be more cautious.

8. There are Rumors of a Death

Ruth Jones, who plays Nessa and co-writes Gavin & Stacey with James Corden, often jokes to fans that the 2024 Christmas Special will have a “helicopter crash” and that “most of the cast is going to get killed.”

Also, before filming began, Rob Brydon, who plays Uncle Bryn, hinted his character might die in the finale, which would undoubtedly have viewers reaching for the hankies.

However, James Corden brushed off the rumours, stating at the time, “The irony is he hasn’t read [the script] and he doesn’t know how close he is… I’m kidding!”

9. The 2024 Christmas Special is the Last Episode

Ruth Jones and James Corden have stated the 2024 Christmas Special will be the last ever episode.

James Corden recently said on the Virgin Radio breakfast show, “We will never write anything that Pam says again. We will never come up with an interesting thing Bryn has done.

“To even have the luxury of deciding to end it and to be in a position where people still care, it’s inconceivable to us – all of it.”

On the final day of filming, Ruth Jones delivered an emotional message to the fans who waited patiently in Barry, alongside her fellow cast members.

Jones thanked the crowd for being “so patient”, and said, “You haven’t seen anything because we’ve been indoors, which shows you’re true, committed fans of the show and we hope you won’t be disappointed on Christmas Day when all will be revealed.

“This is our farewell to Barry and to Trinity Street, so you won’t be seeing us here anymore, but we’ve had a wonderful 17 years. It’s been fantastic.”

James Corden followed her comments by telling the crowd, “Thank you very much to everyone, we’ll see you soon.”

10. The Christmas Special Will Air on Christmas Day

The last two Christmas specials (2008 & 2019) aired on Christmas Day on BBC One, and the 2024 special will be no exception. The broadcast time has yet to be announced. Check back soon for updates.