Gavin & Stacey. Image shows from L to R: Nessa (Ruth Jones), Gavin (Mathew Horne), Stacey (Joanna Page), Smithy (James Corden). Copyright: Baby Cow Productions
Gavin & Stacey

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.

Episode menu

Christmas Special

Gavin & Stacey. Image shows from L to R: Jason (Robert Wilfort), Stacey (Joanna Page), Gavin (Mathew Horne), Smithy (James Corden), Nessa (Ruth Jones), Pam (Alison Steadman), Gwen (Melanie Walters), Bryn (Rob Brydon), Mick (Larry Lamb). Copyright: Baby Cow Productions
For Gavin and Stacey, parenthood continues to present them with several challenges, their 'baby' now being ten.

Preview clips

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

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Monday 30th December 2019 10:30pm BBC1
Thursday 24th December 2020 8:40pm BBC1
Friday 10th December 2021 8:25pm BBC1
Sunday 12th December 2021 9:00pm Gold
Monday 13th December 2021 1:30am Gold
Monday 20th December 2021 9:00pm Gold
Thursday 23rd December 2021 9:00pm Gold
Sunday 4th December 2022 9:35pm Gold
Sunday 11th December 2022 12:25am Gold
Sunday 11th December 2022 9:50pm Gold
Friday 16th December 2022 10:00pm W
Saturday 17th December 2022 8:55pm W
Thursday 22nd December 2022 1:50am Gold
Thursday 22nd December 2022 9:40pm Gold
Thursday 22nd December 2022 10:40pm Gold
Sunday 25th December 2022 10:30pm Gold
Monday 26th December 2022 12:20am Dave
Friday 30th December 2022 9:00pm W
Saturday 9th December 2023 9:00pm Gold
Sunday 10th December 2023 2:05am Gold
Thursday 14th December 2023 9:00pm BBC1
Sunday 17th December 2023 9:00pm BBC3
Sunday 24th December 2023 11:40pm Gold
Monday 25th December 2023 9:40pm BBC3
Tuesday 26th December 2023 1:30am BBC3
Tuesday 26th December 2023 11:35pm W

Cast & crew

Cast
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
Guest cast
Oscar Hartland Neil the Baby
Laura Aikman Sonia
Youssef Kerkour Emlyn
Kyle Lima Darren
Gabriel Mitell Harri
Maddison Belle Platt Megan
Martha Tregonning Caitlin
Writing team
James Corden Writer
Ruth Jones Writer
Production team
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 2020

Gavin & 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 2020

Gavin & 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 2020

BBC 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 2020

Gavin & 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 2020

Gavin & 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 2019

Gavin & 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 2019

The 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 2019

Review: Gavin & Stacey Christmas special

Nothing could bring a lump to the throat like this moment.

Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail, 26th December 2019

Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special, BBC One

A big cwtch from Barry.

Veronica Lee, The Arts Desk, 26th December 2019

Gavin & 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 2019

Gavin 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 2019

Gavin & 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 2019

Gavin & 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 2019

I 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 2019

Gavin & 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 2019

Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special review

Is the door open for more Gavin & Stacey?

Jo Berry, Digital Spy, 25th December 2019

Gavin & 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 2019

TV 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 2019

Ruth 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 2019

Rob 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 2019

Mathew 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 2019

Alison 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 2019

Interview: Mathew Horne

"My dream dinner party? My mother and me. She passed away this year."

Rosanna Greenstreet, The Guardian, 21st December 2019

What'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 2019

Joanna 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 2019

Gavin 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 2019

Review: Gavin & Stacey Christmas special

Tidy! It's like your favourite relatives turning up at Christmas.

Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail, 7th December 2019

Preview: 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 2019

Russell 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

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