Gavin and Stacey fans were left cackling over a visual joke that showed Ruth Jones’s character Nessa smoking and vaping at the same time.
Christmas Day saw the long-running BBC sitcom reach a conclusion – ending 14 years of laughs and tears. The last ever episode revealed that James Cordon’s Smithy had failed to accept Nessa’s proposal from the 2019 Christmas special and was instead set to marry his girlfriend Sonia, played by Laura Aikman, reports the Mirror.
The episode began with Smithy preparing to celebrate his stag do before he went down the aisle to swap vows with Sonia. The celebration brought all the main characters together for a knees up – but Nessa struggled with her emotions as the countdown to the wedding progressed.
Scenes showed Nessa smoking both a cigarette and a vape as she processed her stress outside. And the scene drew attention from TV fans – who are aware that the BBC is generally against showing smoking on screens. Many took to X to share their shock, surprise, and amusement over the scene.
One fan wrote: “Gavin and Stacey fans were stunned Not me wondering if they’d sensor Nessa’s smoking in the big old year of 2024, only for them to have her swinging between a vape AND a cigarette #GavinAndStacey.” Another typed: “PLEASE Nessa vaping and smoking at the same time she’s literally just a girl #GavinAndStacey.”
Another laughed: “Nessa was always going to be smoking a cig and vape at the same time #GavinAndStacey.” While another fan remarked that they felt Ruth’s character had become iconic for her behaviour. One wrote: “Nessa vaping and smoking at the same time. my queen forever. #GavinAndStacey.”
Elsewhere in the episode, fans were also shocked to see John Lewis heavily featured in opening scenes. Traditionally, BBC shows do not heavily feature brands due to strict rules about product placement. The scenes showed Smithy racing through a store in order to find his fiancée, Sonia. One fan wrote on X: “Lot of talk about John Lewis wedding list plug on #gavinandstaceythefinale. There was a time when beeb would have imploded. In fairness some good lines in the big festive watch.”
While another fan seemed desperate to know which branch of the department store was featured. The fan asked: “Folks, where is that John Lewis?I think it’s Chelmsford? #GavinAndStacey” only for a fellow X user to declare: “That was Cardiff JL.”
Fans were devastated when the final episode began to show Smithy was planning to continue to marry Sonia instead of nessa. Fans stormed X with comments, with one writing: “Everyone watching Gavin & Stacey now knowing smithy did not say yes to nessa. #GavinAndStacey.” Another typed: “Nooooo #GavinAndStacey #Gavin&Stacey.” And a further fan wailed: “Gavin and Stacey ruined , why arnt nessa and smithy together?”
Towards the end of the episode, fans were stunned and delighted to see Pam Ferris and Sheridan Smith return to the series – reprising their roles as Cath Smith, Smithy’s mum, and Ruth ‘Rudi’ Smith, Smithy’s sister, respectively. The characters returned to watch Smithy walk down the aisle on his wedding day – with many feeling the cameos stole the show.
Viewers were delighted to see Sheridan looking radiant in her role. One fan wrote on X: “They even got Sheridan Smith back, this is perfect, I’m so happy #GavinAndStacey.” And another typed: “The best thing so far about Gavin & Stacey is that Sheridan Smith got the appearance in the finale she deserved! So happy to see her!!” While another fans commented that Sheridan owed her success to the show, commenting: “Sheridan Smith blew up not long after #GavinAndStacey aired for the first time.”
While others were just as excited to see Pam – who famously played Miss Agatha Trunchbull in the 1996 film Matilda. One fan wrote on X: “PAM FERRIS! Now we’re talking #GavinAndStacey.” And another wrote: “The ICON that is Pam Ferris!! Soo glad they brought her back #GavinAndStacey.”
The show ended with a huge twist when Smithy abandoned his wedding to stop Nessa from leaving the country. He proposed to his long-time flame and got married straight away in front of the beloved cast.
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