What time Gavin and Stacey Christmas special is on TV and full cast ...

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BBC are treating fans to a 90-minute Gavin and Stacey Christmas special as the festivities wind down.

Gavin and Stacey - Figure 1
Photo Belfast Live

It's been five years since the show surprised viewers with a Christmas special that ended with a huge cliffhanger. Fans of the BBC sitcom have been waiting to find out if Smithy (James Corden) accepted Nessa's (Ruth Jones) proposal, and if we'll ever find out what happened on that fishing trip.

Ahead of the big final episode, Ruth Jones said she feels as though the characters "really do exist". The co-creator added: "It's not like they're dying – well, watch the final. But the thing is, we feel like they still exist so for us, they're carrying on living their lives in Barry or Billericay, just we are not party to what goes on in their life any more."

READ MORE: Guide to the best of TV in Northern Ireland this Christmas

As it's confirmed this is to be the show's final episode ever, viewers are eager to know what the plot is. We'll see Uncle Bryn (Rob Brydon) packing up his car as he prepares to take on the drive to Essex, Gwen is behaving strangely, Nessa is starting a new business venture, and Neil the Baby is about to begin an apprenticeship, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Add to the mix Pam's nail-biting stress over playing the perfect hostess while Mick's newfound retirement hobby of golf swings in the lounge is sure to raise tension. There's also continuing drama with family friends Pete and Dawn.

And, as the BBC teaser trailer suggests, there's fun to be had with Bryn getting into the festive spirit while tackling a game of limbo.

Rob Brydon as Bryn in Gavin and Stacey: The Finale on BBC (Image: BBC/Toffee International Ltd/Tom Jackson) When can you catch the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special?

The finale of Gavin and Stacey will be broadcast on Christmas Day at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

Who's in the full cast for the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special? Gavin - Mathew Horne Stacey - Joanna Page Nessa - Ruth Jones Smithy - James Corden Mick - Larry Lamb Pam - Alison Steadman Uncle Bryn - Rob Brydon Gwen - Melanie Walters Jason - Robert Wilfort Pete - Adrian Scarborough Dawn - Julia Davis Dave - Steffan Rhodri Neil the Baby - Oscar Hartland

Reflecting on the final day of shooting, Alison Steadman said: "We were all dreading that final scene when we finished. I think 90% of us were in tears, some people braved it, because it's been so fantastic."

She described the show as "fabulous" and admitted the cast will "miss filming it".

The 2019 special had the highest overnight ratings at Christmas in 12 years, with an average audience reaching numbers of 11.6 million viewers. The episode also went on to win the impact award at the 2020 National Television Awards, where Ruth Jones channelled her inner Nessa and had quite the flirtatious interaction with Tom Jones: "You never write, you never call! There's still a lot of electricity between me and Sir Tom, and don't you knows it!"

During an appearance on The One Show, Joanna Page revealed her initial reaction to the script 17 years ago: "I just opened the script and thought 'I know this person' and to have something where I can be Welsh and use my own voice, you feel so much closer to the character."

The actress revealed she won't be missing the role of Stacey, sharing that "She's in me and she'll always be there."

She highlighted that "The thing I will miss the most is the whole of our family, that has been the best bit."

Viewers can also catch "Gavin and Stacey: A Fond Farewell" on New Year's Day at 7pm on BBC One, with the programme set to showcase a 60-minute celebration of the hit show's highlights and its 17-year journey.

Gavin and Stacey: The Finale will air on Christmas Day at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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