Oh! Gavin and Stacey is back for a one-off festive special, a decade after we said goodbye to Ruth Jones and James Corden’s much-loved series.
The writers of the hit sitcom, which first aired on the BBC between 2008 and 2010, had previously maintained that they’d never revisit their iconic characters for extra episodes, but - luckily for us - they have changed their minds, with Corden describing the special as a “nostalgic joy bomb” - in other words, just what we need right now.
But what's been occurring since we left Gavin, Stacey, Smithy and Nessa on the beach at Barry Island ten years ago?
Here's everything that we know so far about the most anticipated TV reunion of the year...
What's occurring?
While the first Christmas special saw the Barry gang head down to Essex for a festive extravaganza orchestrated by Pam and Mick, it’s now time for Bryn and co to return the favour (though Pam would naturally rather spend the festive season in Billericay) What could possibly go wrong?
Smithy, meanwhile, is still making the journey to Barry at weekends to see the now 12-year-old Neil the Baby, while Nessa has fine-tuned her own idiosyncratic brand of parenting.
Other details of the plot, however, are as big a secret as what really happened on that infamous fishing trip...
When is it on TV?
In a stroke of perfect programming, the BBC has confirmed that the one-off episode will air on Christmas Day at 8.30pm, sandwiched between Call the Midwife and EastEnders - so if, like Smithy, you have a tight schedule of four Christmas dinners to eat, be sure to keep the evening clear.
Which cast members are returning?
All of the show’s main characters will (thankfully) be coming back for the special, including the title couple Gavin and Stacey, played by Mathew Horne and Joanna Page, their best friends Smithy (James Corden) and Nessa (Ruth Jones) and Stacey’s family, mum Gwen (Melanie Walters), uncle Bryn (Rob Bryden) and brother Jason (Robert Wilfort).
Gavin’s parents Mick (Larry Lamb) and Pam (Alison Steadman) will also feature in the Christmas episode and their best friends Dawn and Pete (Julia Davis and Adrian Scarborough) are going to make a welcome comeback too.
And who won’t appear in the special?
Sheridan Smith, who had a recurring role as Smithy’s sister Rudi, has confirmed that she won’t be taking part in the show, telling Zoe Ball that she’s “not going to be in it” but is “so proud to have been a part of something so special.”
Sadly Margaret John, who played Stacey and Gwen’s outrageous neighbour Doris, died in 2011.
Is there a trailer?
After the BBC leaked a short snippet of the new episode on BBC iPlayer, a full trailer has now been released, opening with a Santa-hatted Smithy greeting Gavin with a special rendition of Step Into Christmas.
We then cut to Barry, where Stacey tells Uncle Bryn that her and Nessa's children are "hyped up" for the festive season, prompting the ever-excitable Bryn to reply with: "They're hyped up? How do you think I feel?"
We later see him crashing around the kitchen trying to mastermind the perfect Christmas meal - and getting very stressed in the process - and there's even a brief appearance from fan favourite Dawn, who tells husband Pete that she "can't fall from their trust tree."
Intrigued? You can watch the full clip above...
Gavin and Stacey returns to the BBC on Christmas Day.
