Gavin and Stacey Christmas special could finally solve infamous fishing trip mystery
by Jordana Seal PA · ChronicleLiveOne of the most enduring mysteries in Gavin And Stacey, the infamous fishing trip involving Uncle Bryn and Jason, may finally be unravelled in the show’s Christmas special.
The initial clips from the final episode of the much-loved sitcom, which were aired during the Strictly Come Dancing finale, seem to focus on the main characters gathering for a weekend.
A character, presumably Gwen, Stacey’s mother, is at her wit's end, declaring: "Thirty years ago you two went on a fishing trip that almost tore this family apart."
It appears fans might finally learn the reason why. The popular TV series ran from 2007 to 2010, and made a comeback in 2019 with a one-off Christmas special that concluded with a cliffhanger, when Nessa (Ruth Jones) proposed to James Corden’s character Neil "Smithy" Smith.
The trailer, broadcast on Saturday, did not clarify whether they had married after all. It featured all the regular characters dancing and grimacing after a round of shots.
Gavin and Stacey, played by Mathew Horne and Joanna Page, who tied the knot in the show's first season in 2007, are still together, with Stacey seen playfully spanking Gavin. The BBC previously announced Gavin and Stacey are "looking for new ways to spice up their 17-year marriage", while Nessa embarks on a new business venture.
Rob Brydon as Uncle Bryn readies his Citroen Xsara Picasso, at Barry Island in Wales, for a journey to Essex, as his sister-in-law Gwen has been "behaving most strangely".
In Billericay, Essex, Michael "Mick" Shipman, portrayed by Larry Lamb, is causing a stir with his finicky spouse Pamela Andrea "Pam" Shipman, played by Alison Steadman, right as she prepares to host guests. Marital woes persist for characters Peter Sutcliffe, enacted by Adrian Scarborough, and his wife Dawn Sutcliffe, with Julia Davis in the role.
During the series, Stacey's uncle Bryn and her cousin Jason, portrayed by Robert Wilfort, hint at the infamous "fishing trip" – an incident that changed their relationship from close to barely speaking.
Prior to the airing of the trailer, Ruth Jones, as her character Nessa from the hit show, presented the voting terms during the Strictly final, sporting a retro outfit harking back to the early 2000s episodes.
She cheekily teased Claudia Winkleman, remarking, "I see you’re copying my hairstyle still, tidy."
In full Welsh cadence, Nessa warned viewers, "please don’t try and vote if you’re watching on demand you’ll just make a fool of yourself" followed by a nonchalant thumbs-up and exiting before the much-anticipated trailer was introduced.
The show, born from the creative minds of James Corden and Ruth Jones, returns with them at the helm as writers and executive producers for the 90-minute festive special.
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