Gavin And Stacey star Joanna Page has said she believes that the upcoming Christmas episode will be the last time she ever plays her iconic character.
It was announced last month that the beloved show is returning for its last ever episode onChristmas Day.
Show creators James Corden and Ruth Jonesreunited in secret to pen the final episode after denying another episode was in the works just days before, nearly five years after the last episode aired in 2019.
Welsh actress Joanna, 47, told her podcastOff The Telly podcast, which she hosts with Natalie Cassidy, that she believes it will '100 per cent' be her last time as Stacey.
'I meanthere's so much they could do, isn't there?' Joanna said, as she admitted she didn't know what was in store for the characters.
Gavin And Stacey star Joanna Page confirmed that the upcoming Christmas episode will be the last time she ever plays her iconic character on her Off The telly podcast (Pictured in April)
James Corden and Ruth Jones revealed last month that they have written the last ever episode of Gavin And Stacey, set to air on Christmas Day
The 2019 special ended with Nessa proposing to Smithy, a cliffhanger which left fans reeling.
Of that script, Joanna said she thought at the time: 'I was like, "What? Oh my god, where's the rest?".'
The Christmas special will take place five years after the last special, and 17 years after the show's first ever episode, which aired in 2007.
Of the time passed since that first episode, Joanna added: 'I'm older now than Mel [Melanie Walters] was playing Gwen on the first series.'
In May, Ruth and James took to Instagram to share a black and white photo of themselves holding up the script.
Alongside the post, they wrote: '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!'
Fans expressed their joy at the news under James and Ruth's post. Among those sharing their delight was Rio Ferdinand who wrote: 'I'm clearing the diary.'
Other celebrities including Gordon Ramsay, John Bishop, Ferne Cotton and Amanda Holden all shared their delight.
Show creators James Corden and Ruth Jones reunited in secret to pen the final episode after denying another episode was in the works just days before, nearly five years after the last episode aired in 2019
Welsh actress Joanna, 47, told her podcast Off The Telly podcast, which she hosts with Natalie Cassidy, that she believes it will '100 per cent' be her last time as Stacey
Ruth and James wrote on Instagram in May:'Some news... It's official! We have finished writing the last ever episode of Gavin and Stacey'
Joanna Page, who plays Stacey, reshared James and Ruth's photo to her Instagram and wrote: 'Oh my God it's happening! So excited! Last ever Gavin And Stacey! Christmas Day @bbcone Can't wait to start filming!'
Joanna also shared a statement with ITV's Loose Women that read: 'I'm very excited for the return of the Gavin and Stacey and can't wait to come back on and tell you all about it'.
The actress also revealed she 'can't wait to find out what happens' next on the BBC show as she doesn't know what happens after the 2019 Christmas cliffhanger when Nessa proposed to Smithy.
Speaking on Off The Telly on BBC Sounds podcast, Joanna said: 'I’m so excited to see the gang again and start filming, and I can’t wait to find out if Smithy has said yes. I can’t wait to find out what’s happening to everybody!
'I’m going to have to keep that script away from your [Natalie’s] little paws but yeah we are going to be able to review it on our show at Christmas and I will be very cross if you aren’t sitting down on Christmas Day watching me!'
Matthew Horne, who portrays Gavin, seemed excited for the reunion as he reshared the snap of Ruth and James holding up the new script, he wrote: 'Happy Christmas'.
Others wrote: 'This has made my whole year'... 'Yes roll on Christmas, been waiting a very long time for this'... 'Stepping into Christmas 2024! Yay!'
The critically acclaimed series follows the lives of the two titular characters Gavin from Essex and Stacey from South Wales, documenting key points in their long-distance relationship and events that bring the two families together
It was previously reported that a new episode of Gavin And Stacey was in the works but Ruth Jones denied it, saying: 'It's sadly a rumour'
One fan demanded the final episode be 'five hours long' to make up for the length of time it's been since the last special.
Several fans said they finally wanted to know what happened on character Bryn's notorious fishing trip with his nephew Jason which they both refuse to speak about, a long-running joke on the series.
It was previously reported that a new episode of Gavin And Stacey was in the works but Ruth Jones denied it.
Reports circulated online claiming the cast was set to film a new episode over the summer with the plan to air it at Christmas, five years on from a dramatic cliffhanger.
US outlet Deadline reported that the new special was in development/pre-production stages currently and that it will be produced by Steve Coogan's Baby Cow, Jones' Tidy Productions and Fulwell 73, which is co-owned by Corden.
But Ruth insisted the speculation was 'sadly a rumour' during an interview on Irish station RTE Radio 1.
Asked about the reports, she said: 'Apparently there's a bidding war going on between the BBC and Netflix and I love it because it says 'a source says', who is this source?'
Fans, including Rio Ferdinand and Gordon Ramsay, expressed their joy at the news under James and Ruth's pos
Ruth added: 'It's sadly a rumour... All I can say is, if there was something to say on that front, James and I would happily announce it, we would.'
The actress said she thought the rumours were sparked after she was photographed having lunch with Corden a few months back after he returned to the UK from living in America.
'Then the next thing is 'Oh my god they must be writing more Gavin And Stacey', which is lovely,' she said.
'It's lovely that people are so desperate for it because imagine if it was the opposite and were like 'Oh, god, you're not bringing that back again'.'
In March, Alison Steadman, who plays Pam, also shut down reunion rumours and insisted the cast were not getting back together.
Speaking to The Mirror, Alison said creators James and Ruth had not reached out to the cast at the time.
She said: 'If we did another series or episode, I would absolutely love it. But at the moment, as far as I know, it's not going to happen.
'None of us have been sent scripts, none of us, so until there's something definite and it's announced, then I'm not going to go along with anything, it might not happen. It's all up in the air.'
Several fans said they finally wanted to know what happened on character Bryn's notorious fishing trip with his nephew Jason
The critically acclaimed series follows the lives of the two titular characters Gavin from Essex and Stacey from South Wales, documenting key points in their long-distance relationship and events that bring the two families together.
Gavin And Stacey first aired in 2007 and ran for just 21 episodes, spanning three seasons and two Christmas specials. The show's popularity was stratospheric with 2019's Christmas special garnering a whopping 18.49million viewers.
At the climax of the episode, Nessa got down on one knee to propose to Smithy, played by Corden, but viewers did not get to hear his response.
The pair had an on-off relationship during the series and in the special it was revealed they were successfully co-parenting their son, Neil.
Fans have hoped the show would make a comeback following James' decision to move back to the UK after his eight-year stint hosting The Late Late Show in the US.
One of the show's most long-running jokes concerns Uncle Bryn (centre) and his nephew Jason (right) who went on a fishing trip they both refuse to speak about
In March, Alison Steadman, who plays Pam, also shut down reunion rumours and insisted the cast were not getting back together (pictured in February 2024)
Fans have hoped the show would make a comeback following James' decision to move back to the UK after his eight-year stint hosting The Late Late Show in the US (James and Ruth pictured together in April 2024)
Gavin And Stacey first aired in 2007 and ran for just 21 episodes, spanning three seasons and two Christmas specials
The show's popularity was stratospheric with 2019's Christmas special garnering a whopping 18.49million viewers
During its time it graduated from BBC Three to BBC One and picked up multiple accolades including Bafta and British Comedy Awards gongs
Stealing the show as much-loved character Nessa, Ruth portrayed the hilarious amusem*nt park worker and 'original member' of All Saints, who becomes pregnant with Smithy's child after a one-night-stand.
Co-writer James took on the role of Gavin's best friend from primary school, Smithy, who is interested in Stacey's best friend Nessa.
Starring as Uncle Bryn in the hit series, Rob Brydon played the brother of Stacey's deceased father, a single man in his late forties.
Stacey was played by Joanna Page, with Mathew Horne starring as the series' titular character Gavin, nicknamed Gavlar, or Gavala.
During its time it graduated from BBC Three to BBC One and picked up multiple accolades including Bafta and British Comedy Awards gongs.
