Gavin & Stacey stars ‘turned down multi-million pound Netflix deal’

The highly-anticipated return of Gavin & Stacey has sparked excitement among fans, with reports surfacing that stars James Corden and Ruth Jones turned down a lucrative Netflix deal in favour of airing the Christmas special on BBC One.

Following reports of a tug-of-war between BBC and Netflix over the rights to the sitcom’s festive comeback, James Corden took to Instagram to share the official announcement.

In a black and white snap featuring himself and co-creator Ruth Jones holding up the special’s script, the duo revealed that Gavin and Stacey: The Finale is set to grace screens this Christmas, exclusively on BBC One.

James captioned the much-anticipated post: “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.”

The decision to decline Netflix’s tempting offer, which reportedly included a multi-million pound deal and promises of international exposure, was driven by a sense of loyalty to the BBC and the show’s devoted UK audience.

A source told The Sun : “They held conversations with Netflix who threw everything at them to land what is seen as a gem of British comedy.

“James, Ruth and the team were effectively offered a multi-million pound one-off deal, and were promised it would open the show up to a whole new international audience.

“Obviously it was tempting, but they felt Gavin and Stacey belonged to the BBC — and the nation, really. The optics wouldn’t have been great had they ‘sold out’ so they went with their hearts, not the cash.”

OK! has reached out to reps at BBC and Netflix for comment.

The anticipation for Gavin & Stacey’s comeback is palpable, especially after the jaw-dropping cliffhanger of the 2019 Christmas special.

As fans prepare to revisit the beloved characters and the mysteries surrounding the infamous fishing trip, the decision to air the finale on BBC One has only intensified excitement for what promises to be an unforgettable conclusion to the iconic series.

The series, which is set between Billericay, Essex and Barry, South Wales follows the lives of couple Gavin and Stacey, (played by Mathew Horne and Joanna Page ) and their eccentric families as they navigate the journey from dating to marriage, finding jobs and even embarking on parenthood.

The much loved sitcom developed a strong fanbase during its three year run, with 20 episodes in total being produced between 2007 and 2010, with a further Christmas special airing in 2019.

Up until now, many of the show’s cast members including creator Ruth, who plays Nessa in the show, shut down any speculation of a new episode, making the latest announcement all the more exciting for fans who have long campaigned for a return to Barry to see what has become of their favourite characters.