Gavin & Stacey is to return for a new special.

All the main cast will be present for the hour-long Christmas Day episode.

Mathew Horne and Joanna Page return as the titular couple, with by James Corden, Ruth Jones, Rob Brydon, Larry Lamb, Melanie Walters and Alison Steadman all reprising their roles as the duo's friends and family.

The sitcom follows Essex boy Gavin and Stacey, from Barry Island in south Wales, who meet and fall in love during a series of work phone calls. When they eventually get together face-to-face sparks fly - both between them romantically, but also as their unique groups of family and friends collide in spectacular fashion.

Originating on BBC Three in 2007, 20 episodes were filmed by Baby Cow Productions over three series. Quickly becoming a huge mainstream hit, the last series of the sitcom aired from November 2009 to New Year's Day 2010 on BBC One. The finale attracted record ratings for the comedy, with more than 10.25 million viewers.

Creators Ruth Jones and James Corden say: "Over the last ten years we've talked a lot about Gavin and Stacey - where they might be today and what their lives might look like. And so in secret we took the plunge and wrote this one hour special. We've loved revisiting Barry and Essex again and bringing the characters back together has been a joy. We're so excited to get the chance to work with our fabulous cast and crew once more and to give fans of the show a festive treat this Christmas. Thank you BBC for helping to make this happen."

Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, says: "Everyone at the BBC is hugely excited to be welcoming back Gavin & Stacey to BBC One this Christmas. We can't wait to see what's happened to everyone over the last nine years, and what's next for one of the nation's favourite comedy families."

Further detail about the new special will be announced in due course.