Gavin and Stacey star set to sign for Strictly after last ever episode, say bookies

A Gavin and Stacey star is set to sign for Strictly after the last ever episode, according to bookies.

Betting odds have surged for Joanna Page, who played Stacey Shipman, to take to the dancefloor next year.

Following a cracker of a Christmas Day special, Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "The Gavin and Stacey finale went down a storm, and with the latter playing such a huge part in the episode, we reckon she could soon be swapping Barry for the ballroom."

A record 12.3 million viewers tuned into Gavin and Stacey - the best Christmas Day audience since 2008.

They were keen to find out what would happen in the final programme.

And they were not disappointed as Gavin and Stacey delivered an unforgettable final episode.

Gavin and Stacey first aired 17 years ago. Since then, there have been three series and just as many Christmas specials.

The last one saw Nessa down on one knee asking Smithy to marry her.

So viewers were surprised to find him getting ready to marry Sonia as the episode opened.

The last outing followed preparations for the wedding and Smithy's stag do, which is almost ruined when everyone got drunk the night before.

It was a happy ending for Smithy, who finally married Nessa - the love of his life.

After leaving Sonia at the altar, when his good friends and family objected to the union, Smithy realised that he loves Nessa.

The whole gang chased down the motorway to Southampton to find her before boarding a cargo ship.

Meanwhile, Stacey and Jason’s mum, Gwen, shocked everyone by revealing her secret lover was Nessa’s ex, Dave Coaches.

Viewers were teased about Uncle Bryn and Jason’s fabled fishing trip but left hanging when interrupted.

The show's creators James Corden and Ruth Jones kept the storyline a closely guarded secret and have confirmed it will be the last ever one.