Nessa hasn’t quite left us just yet (Picture: PA Wire)
If, like us, you’re still in denial that Gavin and Stacey has ended forever, we have something to remedy that.
Well, perhaps it won’t ease the denial, but it’ll certainly give you a fix of one of the most beloved characters.
What we all believed to be Ruth Jones’s final appearance as Nessa Jenkins aired on Christmas Day when the BBC sitcom aired its last-ever episode to a whopping 12million viewers.
However, it has now been confirmed that Nessa will return for one last appearance, just days after she and Smithy (James Corden) tied the knot following 17 years of will they, won’t they.
Digging out her bob-style wig and leather skirt, Ruth will reprise the character during Radio 4’s centenary on the BBC on New Year’s Day.
Nessa will be on hand to read out the Shipping Forecast, which is a Met Office broadcast of weather reports and forecasts for seas around the British Isles.
Ruth Jones will reprise her role for a special BBC 4 broadcast (Picture: PA Wire)
She looks very different without her black bob wig (Picture: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Joking about Nessa’s extensive employment history, Ruth, 58, said: ‘Nessa has got quite a colourful history, and one of her jobs was on the high seas.
‘The Shipping Forecast was always very important and useful to her.’
She will join Dame Ellen MacArthur and The Archers’ Eddie Grundy for the celebrations.
Former Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh, aka Hayley Cropper, plus Stephen Fry and Adrian Dunbar will also be involved.
Completing the line-up will be comedian and Chaser Paul Sinha, poet Imtiaz Dharker, and writers Ian McMillan and Val McDermid, along with Damon Albarn.
Radio 4 controller Mohit Bakaya said: ‘As well as providing crucial information for seafarers over the years, the Shipping Forecast is also a cherished ritual that distills the essence of Radio 4 for so many of our listeners.
‘It is also a moment for those great, unsung heroes and heroines of the Radio 4 schedule – the continuity announcers – to shine.’
The Gavin and Stacey finale was watched by over 12million people (Picture: PA Wire)
Fans have heaped praise on the ‘perfect’ ending after 17 years (Picture: BBC)
Gavin and Stacey viewers were left in tears over Christmas as the long-running programme came to an emotional end, with all the original stars returning for one last hurrah.
The 90-minute special was jam-packed with Easter eggs for diehard fans, with references aplenty to classic jokes, plus a sort of (but not really) resolution to the long-running fishing trip saga.
We even welcomed the return of Sheridan Smith, who plays Rudi, Smithy’s sister, much to everyone’s surprise.
As well as Gavin and Stacey, played by Mathew Horne and Joanna Page, respectively, audiences also got to see more of their other favourite couples, such as Pam and Mick, played by Alison Steadman and Larry Lamb.
Of course, this included scenes with Dawn (Julia Davis) and Pete (Adrian Scarborough), everyone’s favourite chaotic married couple who, despite beginning the episode divorced, ultimately made their way back to one another.
Following the success of the special, there have been talks of a possible spin-off show for Dawn and Pete, with bosses keen to squeeze whatever they can out of the Gavin and Stacey universe.
‘No one thought James and Ruth would ever return following 2019’s special, so it’s definitely considered a “never say never” situation, and bosses live in hope,’ said an insider.
Ruth and co-writer James kept the project firmly under wraps to ensure no spoilers leaked (Picture: Baby Cow)
Bosses are reportedly keen for more Gavin and Stacey in the form of spin-offs (Picture: BBC/PA Wire)
‘Even when news of this Christmas special broke, Ruth denied it publicly, so any plans will always be shrouded in secrecy.’
Fans have lauded praise on creators James and Ruth in the days following Gavin and Stacey’s conclusion, describing the finale as simply ‘perfect’.
Speaking ahead of its premiere, James and Ruth insisted this has to be the end of Gavin and Stacey as we know it.
James also told The Graham Norton Show: ‘It was quite pressured and hard to think about how to make the end satisfying to the audience and to the characters.
‘Ruth and I got together on our own and it was only when we thought we had a story – about 70 pages into a 100-page script – that we called the BBC.’
Both he and Ruth watched the show go out on Christmas Day together, later thanking fans for the overwhelming support they received.
James wrote on Instagram alongside some behind-the-scenes snaps: ‘Thank you so much to everyone who watched last night. It means more than you’ll know.’
Watch Gavin and Stacey: The Finale on BBC iPlayer.
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