Popular sitcom Gavin & Stacey is to return for a final episode on Christmas Day.

Announcing the exciting news on his Instagram, James Corden shared a picture of himself and co-writer Ruth Jones with a script for "Gavin & Stacey: The finale" in front of them.

The cast includes actress Joanna Page, who lives in south Oxfordshire  and appears in the BBC series as Stacey Shipman.

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Following the announcement, she posted on her Instagram: "O my god it’s happening!!! So excited!!! Last ever Gavin and Stacey! Christmas Day @bbcone Can’t wait to start filming!!"

James Corden wrote: "Some news… It’s official!!! We have finished writing the last ever episode of Gavin and Stacey. See you on Christmas Day, BBC One. Love Ruth and James."

Oxford Mail: Gavin & Stacey is returningWhile some of the cast members have confessed to not knowing anything about a special forthcoming episode, Larry Lamb was quick to respond to the news.

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Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Lamb wrote: "Well just to say to everyone who’s asked about another G&S … we just got the word from the BBC this morning… it’s definitely occurrin!!"

The official announcement came as a welcome surprise to fans after it was reported in February that a 2024 Christmas special was in the works.

There will be plenty to explore in the final episode, including the 2019 Christmas special ending that saw Nessa (Jones) propose to Smithy (Corden).

Loose Women star Ms Page, 47, said in her podcast she did not know what was going to happen.

She added: "I’m so excited to see the gang again and to start filming and I can’t wait to find out if Smithy has said yes."

Oxford Mail: James Corden and Ruth JonesGavin & Stacey focuses on two families - one in Billericay, Essex and one in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan. 

Mathew Horne and Joanna Page play Gavin and Stacey, while James Corden and Ruth Jones star as Smithy and Nessa.

Three series totalling 20 episodes were broadcast from May 2007 to January 2010.

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The popular sitcom was directed by Christine Gernon, who had previously directed other BBC sitcoms such as One Foot in the Grave.

Last year Ms Page was in a BBC drama about a medical trial for the sex drug Viagra.

The poignant drama called Men Up focused on five Welshmen who took part in a medical trial for the drug.

The fictional story was inspired by one of the first medical trials held in Swansea's Morriston Hospital in 1994, and looked at some of the guinea pigs for the drug which would make a difference to the sex lives of millions.

Ms Page played one of the medics, while Iwan Rheon, Phaldut Sharma, Paul Rhys, Mark Lewis Jones and Steffan Rhodri appeared as men who were desperate for the drug to work for them.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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