‘Tear-jerking’ BBC finale watched by more than 19,000,000 people is on TV tonight

It may have been a year since the epic Gavin and Stacey finale, but if you’re still not over it, then now’s your chance to relive it all again.

The hit BBC comedy, co-created by and starring Ruth Jones and James Corden, came to a dramatic conclusion over Christmas last year after 17 years, three seasons and plenty of anticipation.

The 90-minute special was so popular that it raked in one of the BBC’s biggest ever audiences at over 19.1million viewers.

That’s a figure that is rarer-than-rare in the current TV landscape (for comparison, the recent season of Celebrity Traitors, by far the BBC’s biggest release this year, peaked at 15m).

Given the widespread displeasure at this year’s festive TV schedule, those fondly reminiscing on their 2024 Christmas highlights can catch the finale on BBC One later tonight with the family.

The episode begins with a wedding between Sonia and Smithy, but, as it has all been leading up to (after a chaotic turn of events), Smithy and Nessa finally choose each other and say ‘I do’ as the credits roll.

In the face of sky-high expectations to stick the landing, the cast and crew pulled off a blinder with a Barry Island special that totally won audiences over.

Perhaps we didn’t ever find out what happened on that fishing trip – but otherwise it was near-perfect for many fans.

Although we won’t see Nessa, Smithy and the gang back on screens, Ruth did take a trip down memory lane in her BBC show, Ruth and Steve: From Porthcawl With Love.

While showing Stella co-star Steve Spiers around her hometown, she gave Gavin and Stacey fans a cheeky treat by briefly slipping back into Nessa.

Reflecting on meeting Nessa in the flesh at a Q&A, Steve joked: ‘I auditioned ten times for Gavin and Stacey. They said no, every time. So I’ve never acted with Nessa.’

Then added: ‘I think this is an absolute credit to the character that Ruth created, that when Ruth gets into all that gear, there’s a massive metamorphosis.

‘When I went to act with that character, I just had this really weird feeling that I wasn’t acting with Ruth, like something else had taken over as this Nessa character.’

For now, however, if you’re missing your comfort watch, then tune in tonight when it returns to screens.

Gavin and Stacey: The Finale is airing on BBC One at 8:25pm tonight and streaming on BBC iPlayer now.