Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special 2024: A Record-Breaking Farewell

A Historic Television Event

The final episode of Gavin and Stacey, which aired on Christmas Day 2024, has become the UK’s most-watched TV programme shown on Christmas Day in 23 years, with official ratings reaching 19.1 million viewers. The finale aired on 25 December 2024, 17 years after the show was first broadcast, bringing an emotional conclusion to one of Britain’s most beloved sitcoms.

Record-Breaking Viewing Figures

The Christmas special is the U.K.’s most-watched scripted show across all broadcasters and streamers since current records began in 2002. The Finale delivered a huge 12.3m viewers for BBC One from 9pm on Christmas Day, up from the 11.6m who watched the last special in 2019. The show has since added over 6 million to its total, a number that will only continue to grow when the 28-day figures are published. The programme also attracted 4.2 million viewers aged 16-34, making it the highest young audience for a scripted show since 2002.

The Perfect Ending for Smithy and Nessa

The highly-awaited episode came five years after the last special ended on a cliffhanger with Nessa proposing to Smithy. After initial disappointment when viewers discovered Smithy was preparing to marry his girlfriend Sonia, the finale delivered the happy ending fans desired. Smithy proposes to Nessa and the final scene features a heartwarming montage of a low-key wedding, with Nessa sporting a black dress and the couple finally getting their happily ever after.

Critical and Audience Acclaim

Reviewers were won over, with The Guardian calling it “a beautiful, poignant piece of television”. Creators James Corden and Ruth Jones said they were “completely overwhelmed by the audience response to our show and to these astonishing viewing figures”. The finale represented more than just entertainment; it was a cultural moment that brought families together across the UK during the festive season.

Looking Back at a Television Legacy

Created by Corden and Jones, “Gavin & Stacey” first aired in 2007, running for three seasons until 2010 and becoming a cult hit. The show’s enduring popularity stems from its authentic portrayal of everyday British life, following the relationship between Gavin, from Billericay in Essex, England, and Stacey, from Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, in South Wales. The finale’s success demonstrates that British audiences still crave heartwarming, character-driven comedies that celebrate family, friendship, and love in all its messy complexity.