Fans of Gavin and Stacey were left overjoyed with the sitcom's finale on Christmas Day.
The final-ever episode became the most-watched show on December 25 with 12.5 million viewers tuning in to see what creators Ruth Jones, who stars as Nessa, and James Corden, who plays Smithy, came up with for the highly-anticipated conclusion - and it did not disappoint.
Viewers saw title characters Gavin and Stacey Shipman, played by Mathew Horne and Joanna Page, reunite with the rest of the clan for one final adventure, which ended with Nessa and Smithy's own wedding day after a disastrous engagement. And fans did not miss a trick with the subtle references, inside jokes and surprise appearances.
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BBC)One actress viewers were delighted to see in the final episode was Anna Maxwell Martin, who recently wowed ITV viewers with her portrayal in Until I Kill You. As Smithy stood at the alter, about to marry his girlfriend Sonia, played by Laura Aikman, it was Anna who, as the celebrant, was about to declare them husband and wife before best man Gavin's objection.
Viewers were ecstatic about her appearance, with many taking to X to share their excitement. One wrote: "Anna Maxwell Martin as the celebrant tho [clapping emoji]" while another penned: "Anna Maxwell Martin! Now that's the cameo we came for!"
A third said: "goddess anna maxwell martin in gavin & stacey i’m OBSESSED". Over on forum mumsnet, one anonymous user declared that the actress was the best part of the finale.
In the AIBU thread, they questioned: "To think Anna Maxwell Martin ‘made’ Gavin and Stacey?" before adding: "When I first saw her on screen, I literally couldn’t believe my eyes.
"As a whole it was pleasant enough and watchable albeit a bit boring in parts - e.g the whole stag do thing was bit ‘meh’ - but I couldn’t just sit through it without scrolling through phone."
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BBC)Elsewhere, Laura Aikman's involvement in the last ever episode was so top secret that even her own family had no idea she would be in it - and she kept it a huge secret from them for months. Taking to social media after the episode aired, Laura shared video footage of her family reacting in shock to see her on their TV screen - and how she managed to keep the exciting news so well hidden.
Laura posted the video to her Instagram grid alongside a caption that stated: "I take an NDA very seriously." And she added: "The moment my family realise Sonia is ruining Christmas again..." Her family were stunned by the reveal - and one could be heard gasping: "You never told me" - with Laura replying: "We never told anyone."
Towards the end of the episode, fans were also stunned to see Pam Ferris and Sheridan Smith return to the series - reprising their roles as Cath Smith and Ruth 'Rudi' Smith respectively. Meanwhile fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their overall thoughts on the gripping episode.
One user happy with the way the finale ended wrote: "There will never be a better show than Gavin and Stacey. thanks for all the laughs and happy memories, you’ll be missed!” Whilst another wrote: "That was the most perfect way to end Gavin + Stacey. Tonight I’ve laughed. I’ve cried. And everything in between. Ruth Jones, Nessa, and James Corden, Smithy, said at the premiere that the show’s all about the emotions of love and everything in between - tonight showed that."
A third penned: "SOBBING at gavin and stacey it’s about bloody time nessa and smithy ffs heart is healed finally." And a fourth wrote: "GAVIN AND STACEY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL YOU WERE EVERYTHING I WANTED AND MORE."
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