James Corden and Ruth Jones have revealed they had creative differences over how to conclude Gavin and Stacey.
The duo, who play Smithy and Nessa, are set to return for one final episode on Christmas Day and revealed that they initially didn’t see eye-to-eye about returning for another episode but eventually reached a consensus on the show’s ending.
Appearing on Friday’s episode of The Graham Norton Show, Jones, 58, said: “Initially when the last episode went out, I was keen to follow it up and James wasn't, then he was keen and I wasn't.
“I think over the last few years we have been in different places with it. I was content to leave it on a cliffhanger, but then eventually we both landed in a place where we felt we owed it to fans of the show to finish the story.”
Corden added: “It was quite pressured and hard to think about how to make the end satisfying to the audience and to the characters.
“Ruth and I got together on our own and it was only when we thought we had a story – about 70 pages into a 100-page script – that we called the BBC.”
During the appearance, the Into The Woods actor also confirmed this will be the last-ever installment of the beloved BBC sitcom.
He said: “It's very hard to talk about because there are so many spoilers but when people watch it on Christmas, they will see why it will be, without question, the last time you will see these characters.'
Reflecting on the last day of filming, Corden added: “It was a very, very special day. We made sure that the last line people hear in the episode was the very last line we shot, which is a very rare thing.
“Everyone was there at the end with lots of crying. Joanna who plays Stacey pretty much cried every day. There were lots of goodbyes. It was very emotional.”
However, the upcoming Christmas special won't mark the end of the beloved sitcom, as they have announced a new book in the works.
Titled When Gavin Met Stacey and Everything in Between: A Story of Love and Friendship, the book is set to be published in October, 2025. It will delve into how the duo transformed their small comedy idea into a cultural phenomenon.
The publisher promises exclusive behind-the-scenes stories, never-before-heard anecdotes, and plenty of insider gossip. Corden and Jones will also reflect on the obstacles, rejections, and challenges they overcame to bring their iconic series to life, while exploring the story of their own real-life friendship.
Following the announcement, the pair said: “We're so excited to be sharing the story behind the story of Gavin and Stacey.
“The show has played a huge part in our twenty-five-year friendship and we hope this book will give readers a fresh insight into how it all came about.”
Gavin And Stacey: The Finale will air on BBC One from 9pm on Christmas Day and will also be available on BBC iPlayer. The documentary Gavin And Stacey: A Fond Farewell will be shown at 7pm on New Year’s Day on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
