Gavin and Stacey is returning for a Christmas special this year

It's official: Gavin & Stacey is going to be returning to telly screens.

Well, kind of. James Corden shared the news on Twitter in the early hours of Tuesday morning, as he confirmed the beloved sitcom would be back in time for Christmas 2019. Yes, that's right: Mathew Horne and Joanna Page, as well as James Corden, Ruth Jones, Rob Brydon, Larry Lamb, Melanie Walters and Alison Steadman will return for a one-off special this Christmas on BBC One.

Ruth Jones and I have been keeping this secret for a while... We’re excited to share it with you. See you on Christmas Day ⁦@BBCOne⁩ #GavinandStacey pic.twitter.com/gTRa3cp90t

— James Corden (@JKCorden) May 28, 2019

Ruth Jones and James Corden, said:

“Over the last ten years we’ve talked a lot about Gavin and Stacey - where they might be today and what their lives might look like. "And so in secret we took the plunge and wrote this one hour special. We’ve loved revisiting Barry and Essex again and bringing the characters back together has been a joy. "We’re so excited to get the chance to work with our fabulous cast and crew once more and to give fans of the show a festive treat this Christmas. Thank you BBC for helping to make this happen.”

Gavin & Stacey broadcast over three series (plus a Christmas special) from 2007 to 2010 on the BBC. Gavin, an ordinary boy from Essex in England and Stacey, an ordinary girl from Barry in Wales, spoke on the phone to each other every day at work, they finally met, fell in love and got married. [caption id="attachment_466219" align="alignnone" width="624"] Photo via the BBC[/caption] The series went onto explore the simple love story of these two young people from different parts of the UK, and the impact their relationship had on their friends and family. The sitcom was a breakthrough hit for BBC Three and the 2008 Christmas special and third series moved to premiere on BBC One. The shows 2010 New Year’s Day finale had record ratings for the series with 10.25m viewers. Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, said:

“Everyone at the BBC is hugely excited to be welcoming back Gavin and Stacey to BBC One this Christmas. "We can’t wait to see what’s happened to everyone over the last nine years, and what’s next for one of the nation’s favourite comedy families.”