'Gavin And Stacey' Christmas Special Twitter Reactions

Photo: BBC

It's official: Gavin and Stacey's first episode since 2010 was the most-watched programme of Christmas Day, drawing an average audience of 11.6 million to BBC One while it was on.

That's nearly four million more than the second most-watched programme, The Queen's Christmas Broadcast, which drew an average of 7.9 million.

The episode featured plenty of nostalgic nods to classic moments from the show, including a bickering Dawn and Pete, some veiled discussion about Bryn and Jason's infamous fishing trip, and Alison Steadman's Pam saying "Oh my Christ!"

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James Corden's Smithy introduced a new character to the group, and it's not too much of a spoiler to say she didn't really fit in.

The episode then ended on a cliffhanger so gag-worthy that #GavinandStacey is still trending on Twitter the morning after it aired.

There better be another season of #GavinAndStacy after that mahoosive cliffhanger or.... pic.twitter.com/akljBzuH9v
— Author L.J. Sealey (@LJ_Sealey) December 25, 2019

Watching the #GavinandStacy Christmas Special cliffhanger ending like..... @JKCorden @RobBrydon You better come back to us. I loved it!!!! pic.twitter.com/85zmo38k9Q
— Laura Overton (@laurab2588) December 26, 2019

Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special was absolutely amazing! Cried with laughter all the way through. That ending!! 😍😱🥰
— Claire Cornelius (@clarabell___) December 25, 2019

#GavinandStacey oh my christ that ending, we need a series 4! pic.twitter.com/yOSbYOj7J7
— Martha🌙💟 (@MissVioleet) December 25, 2019

The Christmas special earned a positive review from Refinery29's Jazmin Kopotsha, who wrote in her review: "Bryn's facial expressions are the gift that keep on giving and Nessa is the most reliable character who, unsurprisingly, has aged the best of the lot. You'll not be disappointed but probably not surprised, either. The magic is in the familiarity of it all and truth be told, it really is tidy."

Over on Twitter, some fans pointed that the managers of Heston services – which wasn't exactly praised in the episode – might not be feeling too happy this morning.

Imagine being the manage of Heston Services this morning. #SalesDrop #GavinandStacy pic.twitter.com/RpxE4asduU
— Matt Joslin ❄️⛄️ (@mattjoslin) December 26, 2019

Gavin & Stacey! 😭❤️ Always stop at Membury services NEVER at Heston! 😂🙌 #GavinandStacey 🎄
— Stacey Taylor (@stacey_t785) December 25, 2019

Others paid tribute to the late Margaret John, who played super-fruity pensioner Doris in the show, but sadly passed away in 2011. The special was dedicated by co-creators Ruth Jones and James Corden to her memory.

“To Doris”

The whole uk: #GavinandStacey pic.twitter.com/PQ3qaQnMGd
— Kirsty (@kkirstylouise) December 25, 2019

If Doris was alive Sonia would be having it #GavinandStacey pic.twitter.com/bCRMcVH2rl
— rig (@hannahcorishh) December 25, 2019

The episode also contained a controversial moment in which Ruth Jones' Nessa and Rob Brydon's Bryn sang "Fairytale of New York", the Pogues and Kirsty MacColl's classic Christmas song, and didn't omit its use of the homophobic slur "f**got".

Some fans tweeted that only "snowflakes" would be offended by this, but others said it was misstep because of how damaging the word has been to members of the LGBTQ community.

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Tbh I just think they could have left the word faggot out. Just my opinion innit. But even if it offends just one person then that’s one person too many #GavinandStacey
— Beth Fisher (@BethFisherSport) December 25, 2019

The word ‘faggot’ is often one of the last words hundreds of queer people hear seconds before they are killed. We can say it because we are reclaiming it. The heterosexual cast of Gavin and Stacey probably shouldn’t.
— Kate Butch (@katebutch1) December 25, 2019

lmao it's not even just that it's just a pointless word to say in a song that you know is offensive, it's the stomach drops of all the queer people watching it who aren't out/struggle with family/etc being reminded of your situation whilst trying to relax? #GavinandStacey
— Jamie Windust (@jamie_windust) December 26, 2019

If you haven't seen it yet, the Gavin and Stacey special is available on BBC iPlayer.

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