'I've watched the Gavin and Stacey finale and fans should prepare themselves'

James Corden and Ruth Jones’ smash-hit Gavin and Stacey returns to the BBC for one last hurrah on Christmas Day

Oh my Christ! I’ve watched Gavin and Stacey: The Finale and have some very good news – you can all relax. Fans should prepare themselves, because it’s an absolute belter.

The Christmas special is a (Barry Island) rollercoaster ride of emotions that exceeds all expectations over 90 jam-packed minutes and contains many scenes destined to become classics.

In a tightly-packed hotel screening room filled with cast members, crew, BBC bods and over-excited journalists we laughed (and laughed), we cried and, at times, we gasped. It is astonishingly good. When it finished I literally wanted to watch it all over again – and that never happens.

The action starts five years on from Nessa’s cliffhanger pavement proposal – she has started a new business venture as Neil the Baby, now 16, prepares to begin an apprenticeship with his dad.

Also in South Wales, the Wests are planning a trip to Essex with Bryn (Rob Brydon) packing the Picasso; Stacey and Gavin (Joanna Page and Mathew Horne) looking for ways to spice up their 17-year marriage and Gwen (Melanie Walters) behaving most strangely.

Gavin and Stacey returns on Christmas Day (
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PA)Over in Billericay the Shipmans are ready to play host with stressed-out Pam’s (Alison Steadman) preparations not helped by newly retired Mick (Larry Lamb) practicing his golf in the living room. And there’s also Pete and Dawn’s latest relationship issues to contend with…

I can’t remember the last time a TV show has been this hotly anticipated. After all, every fan always knew that Ruth and James were never going to leave poor Nessa down on one knee for the rest of eternity.

But good things come to those who wait and now, after five long years, it’s time to find out what has been occurring in both Billericay and Barry since the last time we saw the gang.

This could well be the best Christmas present anyone in the land gets this year, and I’m not even joking. So sit back on Christmas Day and enjoy this total treat of a TV show with your loved ones. You won’t regret it.