Oh. My. Christ. Nearly two years after The Finale gave Nessa and Smithy their happy ending on Christmas Day 2024, Gavin & Stacey is still the show the nation quotes. Ruth Jones and James Corden toasted it again in 2025 with a book, When Gavin Met Stacey and Everything in Between, and a run of live in-conversation dates.
Here is the story of the Essex boy, the Welsh girl and two families that became national treasures. Shop more tribute designs in our TV Series collection.
Gavin & Stacey Fact File
| Title | Gavin & Stacey |
|---|---|
| Years | 2007-2010, Christmas specials 2008, 2019 and 2024 |
| Creators and writers | James Corden and Ruth Jones |
| Network | BBC Three, later BBC One |
| Main cast | Mathew Horne, Joanna Page, James Corden, Ruth Jones, Rob Brydon, Alison Steadman, Larry Lamb, Melanie Walters |
| Series and episodes | 3 series, 22 episodes including specials |
| Setting | Billericay, Essex and Barry, Wales |
| Filmed in | Barry, Barry Island, Dinas Powys and Cardiff |
| Director | Christine Gernon |
| Signature item | Nessa's Slots |
Series and Specials
| Year | Series | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Series 1 | 6 |
| 2008 | Series 2 | 7 |
| 2008 | Christmas special | 1 |
| 2010 | Series 3 | 6 |
| 2019 | Christmas special | 1 |
| 2024 | The Finale | 1 |
Episode counts per series, making 22 episodes in total.
How It Began
Ruth Jones and James Corden met while working on the drama Fat Friends and began writing a sitcom about a long-distance romance between Gavin from Billericay and Stacey from Barry. It premiered on BBC Three on 13 May 2007.
Mathew Horne and Joanna Page played the couple, Corden and Jones were their best friends Smithy and Nessa, Rob Brydon was Uncle Bryn, and Alison Steadman, Larry Lamb and Melanie Walters were the parents.
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Filming in Barry
Although half the story is set in Essex, the show was filmed almost entirely in South Wales. Stacey's home is on Trinity Street in Barry, while Gavin's family home was filmed in Dinas Powys. Barry Island gave us Nessa's Slots, Marco's Cafe and the square where Dave's Coaches picks up.
Today the Vale of Glamorgan runs an official Gavin and Stacey Trail for fans.
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Series, Specials and BAFTAs
The show moved to BBC One as its popularity grew, running for three series until 2010. At the 2008 BAFTA TV Awards it won the Audience Award and Corden won Best Comedy Performance. The 2019 Christmas special drew around 17.9 million viewers over seven days and ended on that cliffhanger proposal.
The Finale
Five years later, The Finale on Christmas Day 2024 answered the question. It was watched by 12.3 million people on the night and around 20.9 million over 28 days, making it the UK's most-watched scripted programme in more than two decades. The episode brought back the full main cast for the long-awaited wedding of Nessa and Smithy.
Awards
BAFTA TV Awards
- Audience Award (2008)
- Best Comedy Performance, James Corden (2008)
- Must-See Moment, Nessa's proposal (2020)
Ratings
- The Finale: around 20.9 million viewers over 28 days
Behind the Scenes
The show is credited with boosting tourism in Barry and Barry Island. In January 2025 Ruth Jones even read the Shipping Forecast in character as Nessa to mark its centenary.
FAQs
How many episodes of Gavin & Stacey are there?
There are 22 episodes: three series totalling 19 episodes, plus Christmas specials in 2008, 2019 and 2024.
Who wrote Gavin & Stacey?
It was created and written by James Corden and Ruth Jones, who also play Smithy and Nessa.
Where was Gavin & Stacey filmed?
Mostly in and around Barry, Barry Island, Dinas Powys and Cardiff in South Wales, including Trinity Street in Barry.
When was the Gavin & Stacey finale?
The Finale aired on BBC One on Christmas Day 2024.
How many people watched the Gavin & Stacey finale?
12.3 million watched on the day and around 20.9 million over 28 days.
Will there be more Gavin & Stacey?
The Finale was billed as the end of the story, and no new episodes have been announced.
Shop the Gavin & Stacey Collection
Our Gavin & Stacey designs are fan-made tribute pieces, printed to order in the UK.
Explore more in our TV Series collection. Want something personal? Try our Custom Name Men's Hoodie.
Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: The Royle Family: Series and Specials and Only Fools and Horses: Series and Cast.
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