That might be the last we ever see of them
On what might have been a sad day for Gavin and Stacey fans as we face a future with no more episodes, instead it’s a time to rejoice because the finale was just that damn good.
It had pretty much everything apart from an explanation about that fishing trip, and even then it’s probably better not to know for sure what really went down, and an appearance from Dick Powell (Gwynfor Roberts) himself.
All good things must come to an end and Gavin and Stacey ended things beautifully.
The fishing trip talked about in the Gavin & Stacey finale
Credit: BBC
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I’ll be honest with you, dear reader, I spent much of the episode absolutely cacking it that Mick (Larry Lamb) was going to die after a family member round for Christmas said they’d heard there was going to be a funeral in the episode.
Fortunately that didn’t happen and Mick stuck around to deliver one hell of a speech on Smithy’s stag do, and then provide the decisive moment to convince Smithy (James Corden) that going through with his wedding was the wrong idea.
Instead of tragedy, Gavin and Stacey delivered a happy ending as Smithy finally tied the knot with Nessa (Ruth Jones) and the last major line of the last episode wrapped up this bit beautifully.
Tidy (BBC)
Right at the end the main cast of characters are all preparing for a photo and Stacey (Joanna Page) tells Gavin (Matthew Horne): “Smithy and Nessa, who’d have thought?”
Gavin then replies: “I know, only took ’em 17 years.”
No prizes for guessing how long it has been since the show started.
Beyond a few calls from the group for them to get in place for the picture that’s where Gavin and Stacey ends, with the last major lines delivered by the titular characters and viewers treated to a group photo of the beloved gang.
In an appearance on The Graham Norton Show ahead of the final episode, Corden and Jones opened up about the show and how they ended things in front of the camera.
This group photo, to be precise. 17 years is a long time (BBC)
Corden explained that they decided to schedule things so that the last line delivered on the show was done on the last day of filming so the actors would be going through the ending with the audience, saying they ‘really felt like we wanted everybody to be there at the very end’.
The actor and co-creator of Gavin and Stacey said there were ‘just a lot of tears’ by the end, and joked that Stacey’s actor Joanna Page ‘basically cried every day’.
He added that there were ‘a lot of tears’ when they watched the final episode at a screening, describing the whole thing as ‘a very, very emotional thing to do’.
This last gathering was pretty much the perfect send-off for the show, and leaving the very end until the last day was a chance for this cast who’ve been performing together for 17 years to bid farewell together.Featured Image Credit: BBC
Topics: Gavin And Stacey, TV and Film, James Corden
Joe Harker
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Published 14:33 14 Dec 2024 GMT
Mathew Horne shares truth behind major ‘fall out’ with Gavin and Stacey co-star James Corden
The Gavin actor has set the record straight about their alleged bust-up
Mathew Horne has set the record straight about his rumoured feud with longtime friend and Gavin and Stacey co-star James Corden.
It’s hard to imagine a world where Gavalar and Smithster aren’t joint at the hip, but if you were to believe the whispers, the pair were supposedly at each other’s throats.
James Corden discusses Gavin and Stacey ending
Credit: TikTok/@virginradiouk
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After the comedian, 46, moved his life to Los Angeles, the rumour mill began swirling and reports began to claim that Horne wasn’t happy with him.
But fans didn’t have any other knowledge of the alleged fall out except from the showbiz gossip that was circulating, and eventually, the speculation sort of died down.
However, focus fell back on the alleged feud in 2019 after Corden appeared on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories.
The host told the BAFTA winner that Horne had been asked to be a part of the show, but that he had declined the offer.
“I didn’t know that, but I can understand,” a visibly shocked Corden said, before saying that he and his co-star ‘talk occasionally’.
Horne later claimed that this spat was somewhat manufactured and resulted in the rumours about their friendship ‘snowballing’ once again.
Horne has opened up about what really happened between him and Corden (Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
He told The Times: “I didn’t go on that show because I was filming out of London, and they could only film my interview on one day, and I couldn’t do it.
“The other reason is that I dislike Piers Morgan and everything he stands for.”
So when the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special was confirmed earlier this year, fans weren’t sure what the dynamic between the duo looks like these days.
Now, Horne has shared the truth behind what really went down between him and Corden – even though he’s ‘sick of talking about’ it.
The Nottinghamshire-born actor, 46, told The Times: “This notion of us falling out in 2009 – it wasn’t true, but I couldn’t really do anything about it.
“Because James then went off to the States, that was the narrative and however much I said that we didn’t fall out, no amount of protesting would have convinced people that it didn’t happen.”
Reflecting on his and Corden’s rise to fame more than a decade ago, Horne said: “It was a hectic time, and I really don’t want any more hecticness and chaos in my life.
“I just want to be grateful and enjoy the things that I’m so fortunate to have. Which is a really interesting, fun career and a beautiful family.
The Gavin and Stacey stars were rumoured to have fell out (Danny Martindale/FilmMagic)
“Honestly, I’m sick of talking about 15 years of this, it sapped my energy at the time and it’s not important,” Horne said.
He went on to praise his pal for achieving global success, while defending him from critics.
“The root of all of the flak that he takes – and it’s beyond flak – is jealousy,” Horne said.
“He is a phenomenally gifted actor and writer, and a brilliant working-class success story. So yeah, I am protective of him.
“But I think I’ve been silenced in discussing him because of this narrative that’s been imposed.”
After wrapping filming for the final ever Gavin and Stacey episode, which will air on BBC One on 25 December at 9.00pm, it seems Horne and Corden are better than ever.
The Bad Education actor and father-of-one revealed they are hoping to work on another project together in the future.
“We’re talking about a play, but we don’t know which one,” he added.
Long live Gavalar and Smithster!Featured Image Credit: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images/Danny Martindale/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Topics: James Corden, Gavin And Stacey, Celebrity, UK News
Olivia Burke
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Published 10:51 24 Dec 2024 GMT
Gavin and Stacey actor answers whether we will find out what happened on the fishing trip in tonight’s finale
We will actually find out what happened on the infamous Gavin and Stacey fishing trip?
A Gavin and Stacey actor has revealed whether the ultimate question will be answered in tonight’s final episode – what happened on that fishing trip?
It’s been a long five years for fans of the hit sitcom, and families across the UK will finally settle down in front of the telly tonight to tune into what will be the final episode.
The finale of Gavin and Stacey will air at 9pm on BBC One, and it’s set to break records in terms of viewing figures.
While most will be wondering whether Smithy ever accepted Nessa’s proposal, others will be dying to know the answer to a different question…
What did happen on the fishing trip between Bryn and Jason??
Throughout the three series of Gavin and Stacey, a disastrous fishing trip has been referenced on several occasions, with it seemingly having caused a rift between Bryn and Jason, who both avoid ever talking about what happened.
The Gavin and Stacey fishing trip has plagued fans for years. (BBC)
However, fans may be disappointed this Christmas, as Larry Lamb – who plays Mick Shipman – admitted that it’s unlikely the trip will ever be explained.
During an interview on The Lewis Nicholls Show, the star was quizzed about whether the finale will reveal what happened on the fishing trip.
“Nobody knows. They’re not going to tell everybody. They’re not going to tell you that,” Larry admitted.
“That’s one of those things that keeps people going. That’s like, the long-running cliffhanger, what happened on the fishing trip.”
He also opened up about how ’emotional’ filming the finale was, specifically shooting the last scenes on the very last day.
The actor plays Gavin’s dad, Mick Shipman. (Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
He told WalesOnline: “The whole day was really emotional because we all knew, which is very unusual, that they would film the last day of the series on the last day of the shoot, which never happens. The emotion was building up all the time towards the last day.
“It was like waiting for the last day of school, the last day of term.
“Three, four days before you start thinking ‘Oh blimey it’s soon going to happen’ and then all of a sudden it’s happening.
“There we were in the morning getting into costume and ready to start this day.”
Gavin and Stacey creators Ruth Jones and James Corden have confirmed that this year’s Christmas special will be the final ever episode of the BBC comedy, 17 years after it first began airing.Featured Image Credit: BBC/Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
Topics: Gavin And Stacey, TV and Film, BBC, Entertainment, Christmas, James Corden
Mia Williams
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Updated 11:17 26 Dec 2024 GMTPublished 11:09 26 Dec 2024 GMT
Reason why Gavin and Stacey character was removed from original finale script
They only appeared in two episodes over the 17 years
Wrapping up 17 years of one of the most beloved British shows, the Christmas day viewing of Gavin and Stacey: The Finale was an absolute treat.
We had Neil the Baby getting us all emotional with ‘Blackbird’, the continued mystery of the fishing trip and Nessa and Smithy finally ending up together.
Making up probably one of the best ever last episodes of a TV show, they brought back a load of characters from across the years – be honest the Dave Coaches reveal took us all by surprise.
Gavin and Stacey The Finale
Credit: BBC
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And sure, we weren’t exactly hoping for Sonia to be there but there were even the likes of Smithy’s mum (Pam Ferris) and Sheridan Smith as Rudi (Smithy to her friends, of course).
However, there was one returning character who ended up being removed from the original finale script.
Now, it may not be a character that comes immediately to mind but those truly Gavin and Stacey-obsessed will instantly know who Dick Powell is.
The Welsh bloke may have only appeared in two episodes of the BBC show altogether but he was mentioned plenty of time by the West lot.
They’d tried to include him (BBC)
Dick Powell (Gwynfor Roberts) was a bit like the local Del Boy, as they all seemed to get some kind of dodgy knock-off items from him.
He of course appeared in series three, episode five, to sell some stolen meat for the big BBQ at Gwen’s house. And according to Uncle Bryn, he’s the only person in all of Barry who only speaks Welsh.
Gavin and Stacey creators Ruth Jones and James Corden had tried to include him too but sadly it just couldn’t work it out.
According to Metro, Jones said during a Q&A: “I think in the original script we had Dick Powell. There just wasn’t room for him, God bless him.”
What a finale (BBC)
The script for the finale didn’t quite go exactly as planned though, with extras surprising the cast in a hilarious moment.
During the wedding scene when they all start to stand up on Smithy’s side to stop him from marrying Sonia, two random women on her side also stand.
“When Anna said, ‘Please stand’, there’s two ladies at the back on Stacey’s side who stood up! We didn’t tell them to,” Corden revealed.
“They were just real fans of the show who were so in it [the plot], that they just stood up and were like, ‘I just thought he shouldn’t be marrying her!’”
You can watch Gavin and Stacey: The Finale on BBC iPlayer.Featured Image Credit: BBC
Topics: Gavin And Stacey, TV and Film
Jess Battison
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Published 15:03 26 Dec 2024 GMT
Gavin and Stacey star reveals extreme measures she went through to keep her character’s return to finale secret
Even her family didn’t know until the big day
Warning: Honking massive spoilers for Gavin and Stacey: The Finale to follow.
That was pretty f**king brilliant, wasn’t it?
Five years ago Nessa (Ruth Jones) got down on one knee and proposed to Smithy (James Corden) right at the end of the previous Gavin and Stacey episode, which cut out before we got to know what his answer was.
Gavin and Stacey The Finale
Credit: BBC
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Returning half a decade later for one last episode, viewers were more excited to see what Smithy’s answer had been than they were for their Christmas presents and it was all wrapped up in a stonkingly good final episode.
It turns out that Gavin and Stacey stuck the landing brilliantly, with fans adoring that last-ever episode and reckoning it wrapped everything up in style.
Except of course for whatever the hell happened on the fishing trip, but in this case, whatever each fan can imagine it being is better than getting a definitive answer that takes all the imagination out of it.
It’s finally over, what a ride (BBC)
With the burning issue of what answer Smithy gave to Nessa hanging over the final episode, one Gavin and Stacey star had to go through some rather extreme measures to keep her presence on the set a secret to avoid giving the game away.
We are of course talking about Laura Aikman, who plays Smithy’s fiancée Sonia, since her being in the final episode would make it clear to viewers that Smithy hadn’t married Nessa after all, otherwise she wouldn’t be around.
There’s a big reveal early on in the episode where Smithy goes to meet his bride-to-be and it’s Sonia, leaving millions of Brits watching at Christmas realising that he didn’t accept Nessa’s proposal, though she managed to avoid anyone else knowing she’d proposed with some impromptu Cossack dancing.
Taking to Instagram, Laura Aikman posted a video of her own family reacting to the big Christmas reveal, and either acting ability runs in the family or they genuinely didn’t know she was going to be in Gavin and Stacey again.
“I take an NDA very seriously,” she captioned the video, and on her Stories she shared a post from episode director Christine Gernon, who explained how they kept things so secretive.
Knowing Laura Aikman was in the episode ahead of time would have spoiled one of the main questions, so they kept it a secret (BBC)
“Laura Aikman spent the whole G&S shoot being hidden away,” the director posted.
“Staying in a different hotel, not allowed to come to wrap or screening parties so no one knew Sonia was back.
“Such a great reveal. And she’s amazing as both actor and person.”
That final episode all led up to Smithy and Sonia’s wedding, featuring a brilliant performance by Neil the Baby, though he didn’t tie the knot after everyone he knew (and a couple of people on Sonia’s side) and loved told him it was a massive mistake.
Everyone had been telling Gavin (Mathew Horne) he had to say something and right at the last moment he did, though in the end, it was Mick (Larry Lamb) that Smithy needed to tell him he was making a mistake.
Rushing off to stop Nessa from heading out to sea, Smithy managed to get there in time to propose, with the show closing on their wedding and a montage of some of the great moments from Gavin and Stacey.
James Corden revealed that the episode’s final moments were the last thing they shot as he told a Q&A at the premiere: “The first schedule of the show had us finishing, I think it was going to be me on my own in a car on a low loader and Ruth and I were like ‘that can’t be the last day!’
“And I think that’s the only time we’ve gone ‘we’d like to have a say in the schedule here’, and it was all to do with people’s dates.
“This is a massive cast who are all very busy and have different things to do and have juggled a lot of things around to do it, but we really, really felt that the last day should be the last scene and that the last line should be the last thing that we ever shoot.”
Ruth Jones opened up on the emotional final moments of the episode where Smithy and Nessa finally got together.
She said: “It was lovely because it did feel like a real wedding, didn’t it?
“Like a real wedding to sort of pub reception and we were very grateful to being indulged, for being able to do that because it made such a world of difference that we did that last shot.
“And then Chris, when she called cut on the very last take, arranged for the sound department to play ‘Run’ and that got us all going.”