Gavin and Stacey: How the British Sitcom’s Finale Made Television History
A Nation United by Comedy
The final episode of Gavin and Stacey has cemented its place in British television history, becoming the UK’s most-watched TV programme shown on Christmas Day in 23 years, with official ratings of 19.1 million viewers. The beloved sitcom’s farewell exceeded all expectations, proving that in an era dominated by streaming services, traditional broadcast television can still capture the nation’s collective attention.
The highly anticipated finale was the most-watched Christmas Day program of 2024, with 12.3 million viewers tuning in for the overnight broadcast, with numbers continuing to grow as catch-up viewing was included. This remarkable achievement makes it the U.K.’s most-watched scripted show across all broadcasters and streamers since current records began in 2002.
The Journey to the Finale
Co-creators James Corden and Ruth Jones took to Instagram in May to announce that the show would be back for one more episode that would air on Christmas Day 2024. The announcement sent fans into a frenzy, as they had been waiting five years since the 2019 Christmas special, which ended with Nessa proposing to Smithy in a dramatic cliffhanger.
The series, which originally aired between 2007 and 2010, follows the love story of Gavin from Billericay in Essex and Stacey from Barry in Wales, along with their families and friends. The 2019 Christmas special reached 18.49 million total viewers, making it the most-viewed non-sporting event in a decade, but the 2024 finale has now surpassed even that impressive figure.
Record-Breaking Success and Cultural Impact
The finale’s success extended beyond simple viewing figures. Of the 19.3 million viewers, 4.2 million were aged 16-34, making it the highest young audience for a scripted show since 2002. This demonstrates the show’s remarkable cross-generational appeal in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.
The BBC’s dominance on Christmas Day was unmatched, with all 10 of the most-watched programmes airing on its channels, with BBC One recording its highest Christmas Day share since 2007. The broadcaster even outperformed streaming giants like Netflix and YouTube, particularly among younger audiences.
A Perfect Ending
The 90-minute finale delivered the resolution fans had been craving. Reviewers were won over, with The Guardian calling it “a beautiful, poignant piece of television”. The episode tied up loose ends whilst maintaining the warmth and humour that made the show a national treasure.
Corden and Jones expressed their overwhelming gratitude, saying they were “completely overwhelmed by the audience response” and that “Gavin & Stacey really does belong to the audience”. The pair have confirmed this is truly the final episode, though they announced a book titled ‘When Gavin Met Stacey and Everything in Between’ set to be released in October 2025.
Significance for British Television
The finale’s success represents more than just impressive ratings—it demonstrates the enduring power of quality storytelling and the appetite for communal viewing experiences. BBC’s Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore commented that “Ruth Jones and James Corden created a magical finale that fans will treasure forever” and that the show “is all about family, love and joy”.
For viewers, Gavin and Stacey provided a comforting conclusion to a series that has been part of British cultural life for 17 years. As streaming continues to fragment audiences, the show’s ability to bring nearly 20 million people together for a single broadcast demonstrates that shared cultural moments still matter deeply in modern Britain.