The BBC has said that the final episode of Gavin and Stacey will be the last ever episode, which will air on Christmas Day.
The comedy show, which has been viewed by more than a quarter of UK’s population – making it the most-watched scripted programme in a decade – is returning for one last time after five years from a cliffhanger ending.
James Corden and Ruth Jones, who played Smithy and Nessa as well as writing the show together, marked finishing writing the last script with a joint Instagram post.
It read: “Some news … It’s official!!! We have finished writing the last ever episode of Gavin And Stacey. See you on Christmas Day @BBCOne #SpoilerAlert #GavinandStacey.”
The BBC also confirmed that much-quoted takeaway curry order from Smithy “We’ll have: A chicken bhuna, lamb bhuna, prawn bhuna, mushroom rice, bag of chips, keema naan, nine poppadoms and the last-ever episode of Gavin And Stacey!!! Coming this Christmas Day on BBC One and iPlayer.”
Gavin And Stacey stars Mathew Horne and Joanna Page as they embark on a long-distance relationship between Billericay in Essex and Barry in Wales.
The series premiered in 2007 and aired three series until 2010 before it returned for a one-off special last year. The festive edition ended on an unanswered marriage proposal.
In its closing moments Nessa, played by Jones herself, got down on one knee to propose to Smithy (Corden), but viewers did not get to hear his response.
That show was watched by 11.6 million people live – smashing its own ratings record – becoming Britain’s biggest TV audience over Christmas since 2008.
Jones previously poured cold water over rumours about another return. Speaking to RTÉ Radio 1 in February she said: “It’s not true, it was just what it always is, us having a laugh on set and people want to make something of it.”
Alison Steadman plays Gavin’s mother Pam, while Larry Lamb is his father Mick. Stacey’s widowed mother Gwen is played by Melanie Walters and her eccentric uncle Bryn is portrayed by Rob Brydon.
The show moved from BBC Three to BBC One during its original run, earning a slew of Bafta and British comedy awards along the way.
At the height of its popularity in 2009 Brydon achieved a UK number one with Sir Tom Jones and Robin Gibb with (Barry) Islands in the Stream, released in aid of Comic Relief.
