Gavin and Stacey finale breaks extraordinary record with viewers topping 19,000,000

Lillie Rohan

Published January 3, 2025 5:17pm Updated January 3, 2025 5:17pm

The final ever Gavin and Stacey episode aired on BBC on Christmas Day – and an extraordinary amount of viewers tuned in to watch.

Proving to be well worth the wait for its legion of fans, the network’s newly released ratings figures have revealed the series broke its 2019 record, picking up almost one million extra viewers since the last episode was released.

BBC announced this afternoon that Gavin and Stacey: The Finale is now officially the UK’s most-watched scripted show for not only broadcasters but also streamers in the nation since records began in 2002.

Earning 19.3 million ratings in total so far, a mind-boggling 12.3 million viewers tuned in on Christmas Day, while a further six million watchers have since checked out the episode.

And that’s not all. With the 28-day figures to be released later this month, the James Corden and Ruth Jones-created series is expected to collect even more views, putting it on track to earn well over 20 million views.

The figures also revealed some interesting information with the broadcaster announcing that 4.2 million of the 19.3 million who tuned in were aged between 16 and 34 years old, making it the highest young audience for a scripted show since 2002.

Ruth Jones and James Corden lean on bench in scene from Gavin and Stacey — Show creators and actors Ruth and James are ‘overwhelmed’ by the rating figures (Picture: Baby Cow)

Ruth Jones and James Corden have arms wrapped around each other in scene from Gavin and Stacey — The series is well on its way to earning over 20 million views in 28 days (Picture: BBC One)

The figures are a credit to the UK’s love for the series and have already beaten the 2019 Christmas special ratings, which equated to 18.5 million viewers in 28 days.

In a joint statement released by the broadcaster, James and Ruth shared their excitement at the news admitting it has left them ‘completely overwhelmed’.

‘We are completely overwhelmed by the audience response to our show and to these astonishing viewing figures,’ the creators said. ‘Gavin and Stacey really does belong to the audience and we are beyond thrilled that so many people enjoyed watching it this Christmas. A huge thank you to Charlotte Moore and the BBC for backing us these past 17 years.’

Charlotte Moore, BBC’s Chief Content Officer also weighed in on the results, stating the ratings are ‘truly outstanding, unprecedented even’.

Gavin and Stacey cast sit on a bus in wedding attire — The episode wrapped up a lot of loose ends for fans (Picture: BBC One)

Gavin and Stacey cast in promo picture — And features a lot of familiar faces (Picture: Tom Jackson/BBC/PA Wire)

‘It’s the show the entire nation has been talking about over the last week so it’s no surprise that it’s not only smashed its own record but has become the UK’s biggest scripted show!’

She added: ‘Ruth Jones and James Corden’s creation is a true homegrown success story, and their finale is a comedy masterpiece. It’s made us laugh and cry together in a way that only Gavin and Stacey can.’

The news comes amid reports that Disney + and Apple TV are set to compete for a Gavin and Stacey spin-off series.

‘They see the viewing figures for the Christmas episode and realise how Gavin & Stacey has massive longevity,’ an insider told The Sun.

James Corden sits on couch with Ruth Jones and points to laptop screen — James and Ruth have maintained this is the last of the popular series (Picture: BBC)

‘More and more of the streamers, who are often associated more with the US, want to be seen as having an increasing amount of distinctly “British” content.

‘Gavin and Stacey, and any spin-off, fits that bill perfectly, so they’ll be willing to shell out seven or eight-figure sums to secure a deal.’

This isn’t the first rumour floating around. It was also reported that the BBC wanted to commission a spin-off about Pete and Dawn. An insider told The Sun: ‘It would be madness to close the door on such a hit.’

James and Ruth are yet to address the rumours but have up until now, maintained that the Christmas special was the last of Gavin and Stacey.

Gavin and Stacey: A Fond Farewell is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

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