James Corden shared a slew of behind the scenes snaps from Gavin & Stacey’s final episode to Instagram on Boxing Day.
The actor, 46, who stars as Smithy and co-created the series with Ruth Jones, also thanked the whopping 12.5M fans who tuned in for the send off in an emotional post.
James, who watched the finale on Christmas Day alongside Ruth, shared photos from the set including one of himself and Matthew Horne, who plays Gavin, in bed together hand-in-hand.
Meanwhile Alison Steadman (Pam) and Rob Brydon (Uncle Bryn) posed playfully for the camera while filming the episode’s hysterical drunken party scene.
James also captured Samuel Anderson, who stars as Smithy’s pal Fingers in the show, serenading the cast on the trumpet during a break in filming.
He captioned the post: ‘Here’s some behind the scenes photos from the special. Thank you so much to everyone who watched last night’.
James Corden shared a slew of behind the scenes snaps from Gavin & Stacey’s final episode to Instagram on on Boxing Day (pictured with Ruth Jones)
James (L) who stars as Smithy and co-created the series with Ruth Jones, also thanked the whopping 12.5M fans who tuned in for the send off in an emotional post (pictured with Matthew Horne)
James, who watched the finale on Christmas Day alongside Ruth and shared photos from the set
‘It means more than you’ll know. All my love, James x’.
Following the episode airing James and Ruth, 58, shared a cute selfie to Instagram as they enjoyed a cup of tea and wearing festive jumpers after watching the show together.
James wrote: ‘We had to be together to watch tonight. We really hope you enjoy the finale of Gavin and Stacey.
‘It has been the greatest privilege making this show over the past 17 years. We’ll see you on BBC One at 9pm. The years go by so fast, let’s hope the next beats the last. Happy Christmas. x’
Meanwhile, Ruth, also shared it to her grid and wrote: ‘James and Ruth watching. The Finale together last night’.
The other cast members were also celebrating the finale, taking to Instagram to share behind the scenes snaps from their time filming.
Russell Tovey, who played Budgie, shared snaps on set of the pub, writing: ‘Love my boys – so proud to have been part of this magic from the very beginning – what a privilege – Gavin and Stacey forever !!’
Joanna Page, who plays Stacey Shipman on the series, she shared a black and white group photo of the cast all together.
Meanwhile Alison Steadman (Pam) and Rob Brydon (Uncle Bryn) posed playfully for the camera while filming the episode’s hysterical drunken party scene
James and Ruth lovingly embraced following filming
Laura Aikman, who played Sonia, filmed her character’s hen party
(L-R) James and Matthew filming raucous stag do scenes
James pictured with award-winning actress Anna Maxwell Martin who appeared in a surpirse cameo
James also captured Samuel Anderson, who plays Smithy’s pal Fingers, serenading the cast on the trumpet during a break in filming
Crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of filming
. He captioned the post: ‘Here’s some behind the scenes photos from the special. Thank you so much to everyone who watched last night’
Alongside the snap, she penned: ‘Hope you all enjoyed it. I’ll hold this job in my heart forever. X’
Sharing the same photo to his grid, Rob Brydon, who plays Bryn West, wrote: ‘I am immeasurably proud to have been a part of this once in a lifetime show. Thank you Ruth, thank you James for everything ❤️ #gavinandstaceychristmasspecial’
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Gavin And Stacey star Laura Aikman shares adorable moment her parents found out she was in the finale – as extreme measures taken to keep her comeback secret are revealed
Mathew Horne, who plays Gavin Shipman, shared a snap from the filming of Smithy’s stag go, wrapping his arm around James at the foam party.
He captioned the image: ‘Thank you for watching. Love you all x’
Robert Wilfort – Jason on the show – shared a snap of the cast and crew after filming the final scene, he wrote: ‘The morning after… Hope you all enjoyed it last night.
‘It’s been an incredible thing to be part of something that brings so much joy, I’m so proud of this show.’
Laura Aikman took to Instagram to share the adorable moment her parents discovered she was returning to the sitcom as Sonia while watching the finale.
Her appearance came as a shock to the nation, as Laura had been ‘hidden away’ in a separate hotel during filming, and she had signed an NDA preventing her from revealing she was returning.
As 12.5 million viewers gasped in shock at the big reveal, no one was more dumbfounded than her beloved parents – who had no clue she was making her big comeback.
Alongside the clip, she wrote: ‘The moment my family realise Sonia is ruining Christmas again…’
Following the episode airing James and Ruth, 58, shared a cute selfie to Instagram as they enjoyed a cup of tea and wearing festive jumpers after watching the special together
The other cast members were also celebrating the finale, taking to Instagram to share behind the scenes snaps from their time filming
Russell Tovey, who played Budgie, shared snaps on set of the pub, writing: ‘Love my boys – so proud to have been part of this magic from the very beginning – what a privilege’
Laura Aikman shared a snap of the Andrew Knott (Dirtbox), Russell, Samuel Anderson (Fingers) and James taking a selfie with director Christine Gernon
Gavin And Stacey director Christine Gernon also took to Instagram after the finale aired to reveal the extent of the extreme measures taken to her comeback secret under wraps.
Sharing a snap of Laura alongside Alison Steadman, who portrays Pam in the BBC show, the director quipped: ‘@lauraikman spent the whole g&s shoot being hidden away.
‘Staying in a different hotel, not allowed to come to wrap or screening parties so no one knew Sonia was back. Such a great reveal. And she’s amazing as both actor and person.’
Gavin and Stacey: The Finale drew in a whopping 12.5 million viewers to become the most watched show on Christmas Day.
Viewers had been waiting for five years to learn the fate of the BBC sitcom’s beloved characters and see if Smithy had accepted Nessa’s proposal.
Laura also uploaded a photograph of the cast board which had left out her surprise return
Mathew Horne, who plays Gavin Shipman, shared a snap from the filming of Smithy’s stag go, wrapping his arm around James at the foam party
Joanna Page, who plays Stacey Shipman on the series, she shared a black and white group photo of the cast all together in the final scene
Sharing the same photo to his grid, Rob Brydon, who plays Bryn West, wrote: ‘I am immeasurably proud to have been a part of this once in a lifetime show. Thank you Ruth, thank you James for everything ❤️ #gavinandstaceychristmasspecial’
Robert Wilfort – Jason on the show – shared a snap of the cast and crew after filming the final scene, he wrote: ‘It’s been an incredible thing to be part of something that brings so much joy’
Laura has shared the adorable moment her parents discovered she was returning to the sitcom while watching the highly-anticipated finale on Christmas Day
Unable to contain her laughter, Laura argued: ‘We never told anyone!’ while the rest of her family continued to scream with surprise in the background
Gavin And Stacey director Christine Gernon also took to Instagram after the finale aired to reveal the extent of the extreme measures taken to her comeback secret under wraps
The final episode was hailed ‘perfect’ by viewers, who were left in tears as the long-running show finally aired its last episode after 17 years.
The BBC won the battle of the channels when it came to ratings as 10 million also tuned in to watch the return of Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.
EastEnders did well with 8.7 million watching Cindy Beale left for dead after being hit with a shovel in the two-part episode. In comparison, just 2.8millioned tuned in to see Gail Platt’s final episode on ITV’s Coronation Street.
Call The Midwife – which will air a second part on Boxing Day – drew in 6.9 million viewers while 5.1 million watched The King annual speech.
Nicola Coughlan’s starring role in the Doctor Who special with Ncuti Gatwa saw 5 million tune in, while 4.6 million watched drag queen Tayce make history by winning Strictly.