It was revealed in May that the beloved BBC comedy would be coming back for a Christmas special.
And now the stars of Gavin & Stacey have been seen for the first time filming the festive one-off in the Welsh seaside town of Barry on Friday.
Actress Joanna Page, who plays Stacey in the sitcom, joined co-star Ruth Jones, who reprises her role of Nessa, on Trinity Street, which was lined with festive decorations to shoot the first scenes of the highly-anticipated Christmas special.
Out in force: Joanna Page, 42, star of Gavin & Stacey was seen for the first time alongside her fellow actors as filming for the one-off began on Friday in the Welsh seaside town of Barry
Joanna, 42, was all smiles as she arrived on set in a Breton striped T-shirt with a bold coral collar and a pair of dark wash denim jeans.
Delighted to be reunited with her on-screen family, the Love Actually actress worked her platinum blonde hair into a chic curl.
Show co-creator and writer Ruth, 52, looked as though she was capturing every moment as she was pictured taking photos on her mobile phone.
The Stella star donned a loose fitting black top for the occasion with a pair of white trousers and accessorised with a long colourful stone necklace.
She worked her shoulder-length brown locks in a tousled style, while her oversized shades kept her tresses off her face as she held onto a script and had a pair of headphones wrapped around her neck.
Also joining the duo on set was her on-screen mum Gwen, played by Melanie Walters, and Uncle Bryn, played by Rob Brydon.
Family affair: Uncle Bryn, played by Rob Brydon, was pictured alongside her on-screen mum Gwen, played by Melanie Walters
Delight: Joanna, 42, was all smiles as she arrived on set in a Breton striped T-shirt with a bold coral collar
54-year-old Rob was dressed to impress as he donned his character’s trademark beige trousers with a complementing cardigan over his shirt and brown tie.
The Trip star happily waved to the crowds that formed outside the property, which acts as Stacey’s family home on the show, while Melanie waited inside the hallway in her long print skirt.
The final series ended with Smithy stopping Nessa and Dave’s wedding ceremony while Stacey discovered that she is pregnant.
It concluded with the foursome together six months later on Barry’s beach, with Stacey displaying a baby bump and many are hoping to find out more about Stacey and Gavin’s family life nine years on.
In May, it was announced that Gavin & Stacey was reurning to television screens with a brand new episode, nine years after the show concluded on BBC One.
After years of requests from fans, the beloved sitcom, which starred Mathew Horne and Joanna Page, will return later this year for a Christmas Special and viewers will once again get to hear Nessa’s famous catchphrase: ‘What’s occuring?’
In character: Melanie donned a navy blue cardigan over a lemon yellow T-shirt for the shoot
Capturing every moment: Ruth took a photo of Rob in between scenes
Sneak peek: Fans lined the street to get a sneak peek at the upcoming festive special
Lights, camera, action: Crew members lit up the Christmas-decorated street before the actors got in position
James Corden, who created the sitcom alongside Ruth Jones, made the announcement in a Twitter statement on Tuesday, sharing a picture of the new script.
He said: ‘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.’
While in a joint statement, co-creators Ruth and James said: ‘Over the last 10 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.’
It’s back: Gavin & Stacey is returning to television screens with a brand new episode, nine years after the show concluded on BBC One (pictured in a 2007 show still)
A Christmas miracle: James Corden , who created the sitcom alongside Ruth Jones, made the announcement in a Twitter statement on Tuesday, sharing a picture of the new script
Reunited: After years of requests from fans, the beloved sitcom, which starred Mathew Horne and Joanna Page, will return later this year for a Christmas Special (pictured in a 2007 show still)
‘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.’
Actress Joanna tweeted at th etime: ‘It’s happening!!! I’m so excited! Can’t wait to get on the slots down Barry again!! #gavinandstacey #christmasspecial #barryisland.’
Actor Larry Lamb, who plays Gavin’s father Mick Shipman, also took to Twitter to share his excitement, he said: ‘So it’s official…G&S rides again .. we’re doing a 2019 Christmas special ….a treat for the millions of you who’ve waited so patiently… love to you all ..and Happy Christmas!!!! X.’
He also shared James’ tweet, adding: ‘Absolutely delighted to be able to share this little secret at last !! X.
‘…and try not being able to let this little secret out of the bag since smiffie called from LA about two months ago … I’m going to get a lot of grief from some very dear friends !!! But anyway…..’
While Rob also shared James’ tweet as he added: ‘SURPRISE!!! SURPRISE!!! SURPRISE!!! SURPRISE!!! SURPRISE!!! SURPRISE!!! SURPRISE!!!!!!!!’
Fans also took to Twitter to share their joy over the return, with one person tweeting: ‘#GavinandStacey There back Christmas Day special,I don’t need any presents Santa, I’ve got mine thanks.’
A different person pointed out that Stacey was pregnant in the last series, they added: ‘OMG, you know house Stacey was pregnant in series 3, HAVE GAVIN AND STACEY NOW GOT A KID?!?!?! #gavinandstacey.’
Another show watcher joked about Uncle Bryn’s mystery fishing trip and whether fans would finally find out what happened, they said: ‘We might finally find out what happened on that fishing trip! #gavinandstacey.’
Leading lady: Actress Joanna Page, who plays lead character Stacey, tweeted: ‘It’s happening!!! I’m so excited! Can’t wait to get on the slots down Barry again!!’
Sharing his thoughts: Actor Larry Lamb, who plays Gavin’s father Mick Shipman (pictured in character, right), also took to Twitter to share his excitement
Sweet: He also shared James’ tweet, adding: ‘Absolutely delighted to be able to share this little secret at last !! X.’
A different fan put: ‘Only news of a #gavinandstacey reboot can cause “Christmas Day” to start trending in May.’
While another show watcher added: ‘Gavin and Stacey coming back may have been the earliest and best Christmas gift possible. Enough said! #gavinandstacey #christmas #JamesCorden @JKCorden.’
Gavin & Stacey broadcast over three series (plus a Christmas special) from 2007 to 2010 on the BBC.
The show’s 2010 New Year’s Day finale had record ratings for the series with 10.25M viewers.
The sitcom followed the story of Gavin (Mathew Horne), an ordinary boy from Essex in England and Stacey (Joanna Page), an ordinary girl from Barry in Wales, who spoke on the phone every day at work, they finally met, fell in love and got married.
Show watchers: Fans also took to Twitter to share their joy over the return, with some viewers joking viewers might finally discover what happened during Uncle Bryn’s mystery fishing trip
The pair were joined by best friends Nessa (Ruth Jones) and Smithy (James Corden) as they navigated the trials and tribulations of marriage.
The beloved series also starred Rob Brydon as Bryn (Stacey’s uncle), Melanie as Gwen West (Stacey’s mother), Larry Lamb and Alison Steadman as Mick and Pam, (Gavin’s parents), while Sheridan Smith played Smithy’s sister Ruth ‘Rudi’ Smith.
Gavin & Stacey also featured flirtatious pensioner, Doris, with actress Margaret John tragically passing in 2011 aged 84 after a short illness.
Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, said about the announcement: ‘Everyone at the BBC is hugely excited to be welcoming back Gavin and Stacey to BBC One this Christmas.
Creators: James said: ‘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.’ (pictured in 2008)
Tragic: Gavin & Stacey also featured flirtatious pensioner, Doris, with actress Margaret John tragically passing in 2011 aged 84 after a short illness (pictured in 2010, left, and on the show during its run, right)
Legendary: During an interview in April 2018, Ruth told Lorraine Kelly that she and James, enjoyed reminiscing about where the character’s would be now, giving hope that they could bring the show back (pictured in 2007 as their characters)
‘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.’
During an interview in April 2018, Ruth told Lorraine Kelly that she and James, most famous for playing Smithy and Nessa on the show, enjoyed reminiscing about where the character’s would be now, giving hope that they could bring the show back.
Ruth said: ‘James Corden and I were talking about the characters and we said we think Neil, [the baby], is about 11-years-old… Nessa is training him down the slots. She’s training him in the art of the dodgy grabber machine and how to weight the two pences.’
Lorraine said: ‘We did a thing where we looked what he might look like now,’ as she showed a mocked up image of Neil.
Ruth noted: ‘There’s a bit of James Corden in there. I think you should add a few earrings, and maybe a tattoo on his forehead.’
Popular: Gavin & Stacey broadcast over three series (plus a Christmas special) from 2007 to 2010 on the BBC