A GAVIN and Stacey legend has become the first star to break silence on returning for the eagerly-anticipated finale – due this Christmas.
The Liverpool-born actor revealed bosses reached out prior to creators James Corden and Ruth Jones announcing the hit series’ last ever episode.
Alison Steadman, 77, starred as Gavin’s mum Pam – or “Pamelaaa” as she was known by Smithy.
Asked if her character will feature in the one-off festive special, Alison said, “yes!”.
The TV legend revealed it was very early days but insisted: “I know it’s going to happen.
“I just haven’t seen the script – none of us has seen the script.”
Some of the show’s best laughs came from Pam and husband Mick welcoming their Stacey and their Welsh in-laws into their Essex home.
And the actress delivered another treat for fans, by confirming Mick, played by Larry Lamb, has cleared his schedule for filming too.
Asked if Larry will be “in it” she replied: “As far as I know, yes.
“We only found out (it was happening) for definite the other day.”
Hit BBC sitcom Gavin and Stacey was co-created and written by James and Ruth, who also starred as Smithy and Nessa, the respective best friends of the titular couple Gavin (Matthew Horne) and Stacey (Joanna Page).
The series ran from 2007 to 2010, with its first Christmas special airing on BBC One in 2008.
However, it returned almost a decade later for another epic Christmas special in 2019.
Viewers went wild over their fan-favourite characters returning to the small screen, but the episode finished on a major cliffhanger.
Nessa proposed to Smithy, but the episode ended before he could give his answer.
Now they are desperate for James and Ruth to continue the story.
Joanna Page reacts to reunion
Stacey West actress Joanna has always said she would do another episode if asked.
While speaking on Loose Women, the 47-year-old gushed: “I think we all would.
“We all adore ecah other, we are like family. But Ruth and James write it so you have a clue.
“I would be surprised if there was a phone call, but you never know.”
Theories on finale
Smithy and Nessa
James Corden has hinted at a happy ending for major characters in Gavin & Stacey after confirming the beloved sitcom will return with a Christmas special.
The TV star shared a sweet artwork of his character Smithy with his partner Nessa on his Instagram.
In the painting by Lucy Claire Dunbar, Smithy has his arm around Nessa and the two are surrounded by red hearts.
Words below the image read: “Tell me tomorrow, I’ll wait by the window for you” – the lyrics to the show’s theme song from Stephen Fretwell.
It has now sparked hope that Smithy will accept Nessa’s proposal.
Baby Neil
Fans are hoping Baby Neil – Smith and Nessa’s son – will return.
He was born in series two and returend in the 2019 special played by actor Oscar Hartland.
It appeared he hadn’t yet been asked to return when quizzed on James’ recent announcement, but said he’d “love” to do it.
Does this mean that Oscar, now aged 15, could be too young or too old to play Baby Neil in the new storyline?
Bryn and Jason
Bryn and Jason were finally prepared to tell their family what had happened on their infamous fishing trip all those years ago.
They’d mentioned it often across the show’s three series and two specials.
In 2019 they were about to put us out of our misery and spill the beans, but they got interupted.
It has kept viewers wondering what went on for 17 years, after Bryn shared the secret with Dave from Dave’s Coaches.
We got to see his befuddled response, telling Bryn: “It’s a physical impossibility. It defies gravity.”
Jason also teased another detail when he assured his uncle Bryn that what they did was “perfectly legal in this country”.
She later added: “All I can say is, if they were going to do another one, I hope it’s soon because we’re all getting so old. I don’t particularly want to see Stacey get that much older.”
Joanna shared her delighted reaction when the public found out that Ruth and James had written the new script.
She shared the photo of them holding up the copy and said: “O my god it’s happening!!!
“So excited!!! Last ever Gavin and Stacey! Christmas Day @bbcone Can’t wait to start filming!!”
