Gavin and Stacey biggest festive show of decade

Media captionJames Corden speaks to the BBC’s Colin Paterson about being back in Barry Island and why he decided it was time for a reunion

The much-anticipated return of Gavin and Stacey achieved the best Christmas Day TV ratings for more than a decade, early “overnight” figures show.

The Christmas special was watched by a “well lush” average of 11.6 million viewers on BBC One.

When it went on air at 20:30 GMT, half (49.2%) of all TV viewers tuned in.

The episode, written by and starring James Corden and Ruth Jones, revisited Gavin, Stacey, Smithy and Nessa nearly 10 years after they left our screens.

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Image caption Gavin and Stacey pulled in 11.6m viewers on Christmas Day

The next most-watched programme was the Queen’s Christmas Broadcast, which was screened on BBC One, ITV and Sky and seen by 7.85 million people.

In recent years, The Queen’s annual broadcast has become the most-watched TV show, based on the overnight figures which do not include viewers who watch Christmas specials on catch-up services during the rest of the festive period.

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Image caption The cast was reunited after nearly ten years off our screens

Strictly Come Dancing, EastEnders and Michael McIntyre’s Big Show – all on BBC One – rounded out this year’s top five shows.

Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC content, said: “We delivered something for everyone with the seven most-popular programmes that cap off an incredible year for BBC One celebrating British talent and creativity.”

Gavin and Stacey, written by Corden, who plays Smithy, and Jones, who has reprised the iconic role of Nessa, first aired in 2007.

Corden revealed on Wednesday that he and Jones watched the special together, telling fans the show has been “a labour of love from start to finish”.

Shortly after the episode aired, Rob Brydon, who reprised the role of uncle Bryn, thanked fans for their kind comments.

The initial series saw the budding romance between Essex man Gavin Shipman, played by Mathew Horne, and Welsh woman Stacey West, portrayed by Joanna Page, flourish.

There were two subsequent series and a 2008 Christmas special.

It had been a decade since audiences left Gavin, Stacey, Smithy and Nessa sat on the seafront on Barry Island but the Christmas special proved these four – and their famous expressions – are still a big hit.

The special also saw Alison Steadman and Larry Lamb return as Pam and Mick Shipman, as well as Melanie Walters as Gwen and Robert Wilfort as Jason.

Many fans expressed their eagerness to see another series following last night’s special.

Jones told BBC Newsbeat that “there isn’t any plan, at the moment” for another Gavin and Stacey series, but did not rule it out in the future.

In the Christmas special, viewers only had to wait a few minutes to hear Nessa ask her infamous question “What’s occurring?”.

And of course, it wouldn’t be a Gavin and Stacey special without a reference to that infamous fishing trip.

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Image caption The cast filmed in Barry, Wales, during July’s heatwave

The success of Gavin and Stacey made Corden and Jones household names – even though they were not the Gavin and Stacey named in the title.

Since the original series Corden’s career has skyrocketed in the US, with his hugely successful gig as host of The Late, Late Show.

Jones told the BBC that trying to find the time to film was challenging, with Corden recording episodes of his US show back-to back to give him to time to work with Jones on the British project together in LA earlier this year.