Gavin And Stacey Finale: Smithy Odds-On To Accept Nessa's Proposal
It was Christmas come early time for Gavin & Stacey fans last week when co-creators James Corden and Ruth Jones finally confirmed the show is returning for another feature-length episode.
While we all have Christmas Day to look forward to for yet another reason, this one will be tinged with sadness because the pair confirmed the upcoming festive special will be the last-ever Gavin & Stacey episode.
It may feel like a lot more, but Gavin & Stacey has run for just three series and two specials, and it has etched itself into the UK comedy history books.
The show will bow out at a time when there is plenty of appetite for it, as so many legendary sitcoms have done previously.
In 2019, Gavin & Stacey returned for the first time in nearly 10 years and the record-breaking episode became the most-viewed non-sporting event in a decade and the most-watched comedy in 17 years after 18.49 million viewers tuned in to see Ruth's character Nessa pop the question to James' alter-ego Smithy.
But now the question on everyone's lips and on betting sites ahead of the hotly-anticipated finale is - will he say yes?
Gavin & Stacey's Fairytale Finale?
If Smithy has any sense then he will say yes to Nessa, the mother of his child, Neil "the baby" Smith, but this is a comedy after all.
Despite this, the character is 1/4 on specials betting sites to say yes, while it's 4/1 he rejects Nessa's proposal after she got down on one knee.
That could result in quite a frosty finale for the two characters, so surely the Gavin & Stacey fairytale would be for the last-ever episode to feature Nessa and Smithy's wedding?
We've already seen Gavin and Stacey's big day in the final episode of series one, so it would be fitting for another nuptials to take place in the show's finale.
This would also enable several celebrity cameos to take place.
However, should Nessa and Smithy's wedding be the focal point of the finale, die-hard fans might be concerned that the show has turned into Smithy & Nessa, rather than Gavin & Stacey.
Styles Heading In Gavin & Stacey's Direction
Former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and Hear'Say singer Noel Sullivan have already had the pleasure of making cameos in Gavin & Stacey, with both stars appearing in Nessa and Dave Coaches' wedding episode in the series three finale.
Nessa has claimed to have previously been in a relationship with John, who is 1/2 on betting apps to make a return to the series, while the Noel in Nessa and Smithy's son Neil Noel Edmond Smith's middle name is after her pop star pal, rather than ex-Deal or No Deal presenter Noel Edmonds.
Noel is also 1/2 to make a return for the finale, while fellow pop star Harry Styles is just 2/1.
Harry has been pals with James for years, and several of the former Late Late Show host's mates could also be in contention for a cameo appearance, including England footballer pair Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, who are both 12/1, former England captain David Beckham (20/1), and how about 50/1 shot Prince Harry?
As well as co-creating Gavin & Stacey, Ruth is also known for her Wales-based comedy Stella, which has featured celeb cameos from the likes of Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas, who is Evens to do the same in Gavin & Stacey, TV presenter Rylan Clark (4/1) and chef Gino D'Acampo (5/1).
What's more, in series three Nessa confessed to being an Aston Villa fan, and it is 10/1 any of the Premier League side's squad appear in the finale.
Uncle Bryn To Return
It could be entertaining for a host of celebrity cameos to take place in the last-ever episode, but some fans might prefer the finale to mainly consist of regular characters.
While James and Ruth recently confirmed the show's return, it's not yet known exactly who will be back for the finale, but it would be a massive shock if Rob Brydon's character Uncle Bryn doesn't return.
He is just 1/5 on new betting sites to make the finale, while Gavin's parents, Mick and Pam Shipman are 1/4, and Stacey's mother Gwen West is 1/4.
Nessa's ex Dave Coaches is 1/2, and it's Evens that Stacey's brother Jason West returns.
If Jason does make a comeback then viewers might finally be able to hear about what happened on Bryn and his nephew Jason's disastrous fishing trip.
It has been an ongoing joke throughout the series that what happened on said trip shouldn't be discussed - and fans are still in the dark about it.
Co-writers James and Ruth have even previously said they aren't sure what happened on the fictional jaunt, but with the finale looming it is 6/4 we find out, and 4/6 it remains a secret forever.
Other characters who could be in contention to return on Christmas Day include Smithy's sister Rudi Smith - who was played by Sheridan Smith - and his mum Cath Smith (Pam Ferris), who are both 2/1.
It's also 3/1 that any of Gav's stag do party, who include Russell Tovey's character Budgie, and 5/1 that Nessa's rarely-seen dad Neil Jenkins make appearances.
Whoever returns for the finale, it's sure to attract a huge audience this Christmas Day.
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