Why was Gavin and Stacey cancelled and how long has it been off air?

GAVIN and Stacey fans can be heard rejoicing following the exciting news that the hit sitcom is back once more for another Christmas special.

But the show's loyal followers may wonder why the show hasn't been on air for years and is now returning for a festive episode.

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Why was Gavin and Stacey cancelled?

Comedy legends James Corden and Ruth Jones created the much-loved sitcom Gavin and Stacey. which follows a long-distance romance.

The main characters Gavin and Stacey fall in love over the phone, as he's based in Essex and she's in Wales.

The series follows romance from meeting in person, to getting to know each other's very different (and hilarious) families.

The successful show had run for three series on the BBC - plus a Christmas Special - from 2007 until 2010.

Read more on Gavin and Stacey

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WHAT'S OCCURRING?

Time, plot and cast of the Christmas Gavin & Stacey special

Much to the fans' delight Gavin and Stacey was brought back for another festive episode in 2019.

The show was never "cancelled", it was down to creators James and Ruth whether it went on.

However, they felt it was the "right time to end things for the characters".

How long has it been off air and how many series were there?

Gavin and Stacy ran for three series on the BBC, with the last episode being a Christmas special in 2019.

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The show proved to be a massive hit, and made a global star out of James Corden, who played the hapless Smithy.

At the climax of the episode, Nessa got down on one knee to propose to Smithy but viewers did not get to hear his response.

The pair had an on-off relationship during the series and in the special it was revealed they were successfully co-parenting their son, Neil.

Reflecting on the cliffhanger, Ruth Jones told RTE Radio 1: "I quite like the idea of it just lingering there and us wondering 'What did she say? Are they together?'

"I think she's (Nessa) still working down the slots.

"Probably coaching the Welsh rugby team because she's very good at that."

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When is Gavin & Stacey returning?

James and Ruth have announced that Gavin and Stacey is back one last Christmas special after five years away from our screens.

Sadly it will be the last ever episode fans get.

Some news… It’s official!!! We have finished writing the last ever episode of Gavin and Stacey.

James Corden and Ruth Jones

Sharing the news on social media on May 3, 2024, James and Ruth posed for a black and white snap with the script in front of their faces, with "Gavin and Stacey" clearly written at the top.

They captioned it with: "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 ❤️"

The show will air on Christmas Day, with a time to still be announced.

Fans also need not worry, as the new episode will include the same much-loved cast.

Gavin and Stacey's Best Moments

With the news that the show is set to make an exciting return to screens, let's take a look at some of the comedy programme's biggest and best moments...

Smithy and Rudi's American Boy rap - No one will ever forget when James Corden and Sheridan Smith rapped perfectly word for word the Kanye West and Estelle hit American Boy as they walked across the car park on the phone to Gavin.

Pam's Vegetarian faux pas - Despite loving a cheesburger, Pam found herself caught up in a web of unexpected lies when she claimed to be Vegetarian. She is forced to keep up the secret throughout the entire show and uses hubby Mick to help her scoff meat. She is later rumbled when Stacey catches her in the act as she scoffs ham in the kitchen. Stacey says to her: “Is that ham, Pam!?… “I’ve seen you, Pam. A scotch egg here, a bit of bacon there, putting those regular sausages into the Linda McCartney box”.

THAT fishing trip - It remains one of the biggest mysteries in Gavin and Stacey history as to just exactly what did happen on the ill-fated fishing trip. Bryn appears to be hiding a secret as to an occurance between him and his nephew Jason which has left relations fractures. Ness' on-off boyfriend, Dave, is the only other person to know the whole truth. Bryn did appear to allude to him and Jason lying together naked to keep warm as he said to Dave: “We’re going to have this out, once and for all, man to man, you may know what happened, David, but you don’t know why it happened! It was freezing cold, it was! And when you are that cold…”

Islands in the Stream - No one can ever forget the classic Karaoke performance of Islands in the Stream. Nessa and Bryn performed the track in front of all their nearest and dearest. It saw the whole pub burst into some line-dancing as they enjoyed a boozy night out.

The Xmas special proposal - In 2019, fans were left overjoyed when the show made a comeback but it ended on the ultimate cliffhanger. Nessa asked Smithy if she would marry him as she finally laid bare her feelings for him. Fans were gutted as the show then cut straight to the credits as they never found out just how Smithy answered. Will all be revealed in the brand new episode?