James Corden has admitted that Gavin And Stacey’s return for a Christmas special will mean a ‘tight’ schedule to ensure it is filmed and edited in time.
The comedian, actor and former talkshow host, 45, announced in early May along with his Gavin And Stacey co-creator Ruth Jones that the beloved comedy series would return this year, much to the delight of fans.
It last aired in 2019 for a one-off festive episode which ended on a cliff-hanger with Nessa, played by Ruth, getting down on one knee to propose to Smithy, played by James.
Three series of the show, which aired from 2007 to 2010, followed the two titular characters Gavin and Stacey, played by Mathew Horne and Joanna Page, as they pursued a relationship across Essex and Wales.
Corden told BBC Radio 2’s The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on Thursday: ‘We’ll be shooting it (Gavin And Stacey) around September/October time, it’s going to be tight to get it in and delivered.
‘But it’s such a… building that show is like building a Jenga puzzle, the cast availability and all, things like that.
‘I think it will be okay, yeah.’
He is set to be in a London stage production of political drama The Constituent at The Old Vic from late June, following his exit from talkshow The Late Late Show With James Corden.
James added that once he ‘opens the play’, he and Ruth have to do ‘one last pass and clean-up’ of the script before sharing it with the Gavin And Stacey cast.
He went on: ‘We don’t really want to give it to anyone, unless we feel like it… so we need to make a few trims, and a few little adjustments, but I’m very excited to share it with people.’
Fans were left in bits when they finally revealed the news there would be a Christmas special returning this year, when James and Ruth shared a picture of the script titled: ‘Gavin and Stacey: The finale.’
He wrote: ‘Some news… It’s official!!! We have finished writing the last ever episode of Gavin and Stacey. See you on Christmas Day, BBC One. Love Ruth and James.’
It’s since been claimed that fans will also get an extra present – it will be Christmas after all – with a documentary looking back on the programme, so we can see what’s been occurin’ behind-the-scenes to make the legendary TV show.
‘The Beeb view this as a momentous occasion and wanted to give Gavin & Stacey a suitably auspicious send-off,’ a source told The Sun.
Following the huge announcement, Pam Shipman actress Alison Steadman confirmed her on-screen husband Larry Lamb would be joining her, as she said: ‘It’s a wonderful series. It’s so nice that it’s so popular. I feel very privileged and very lucky to have been given that chance.’
Sheridan Smith is also reportedly being lined up to return for the final-ever episode, after playing Rudi, Smithy’s little sister.
Gavin And Stacey’s Christmas special airs on Christmas Day on BBC One and iPlayer.
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