Sitcom Gavin and Stacey will return for its last ever episode on Christmas Day, James Corden has announced.

Posting a picture of himself and co-creator Ruth Jones holding a script, the actor declared ‘Some news…It’s official!!!’

The text on the cover of the script reads: ‘Gavin & Stacey: the finale. Written by James Corden and Ruth Jones 2024’.

The BBC comedy series, which first launched in 2007, follows the romance of Gavin Shipman from Essex, played by Matt Horne, and Stacey West from Barry in Wales, played by Joanna Page.

As well as writing the hit series, James Corden and Ruth Jones appear in all episodes as the couple’s two best friends Smithy and Nessa.

The last festive episode in 2019, which was watched by more than 10 million viewers, finished on a cliffhanger when audiences saw Nessa get down on one knee to propose to Smithy but viewers never saw his response.

In his Instagram post James Corden added: “We have finished writing the last ever episode of Gavin And Stacey. See you on Christmas Day, BBC One. Love Ruth and James.”

The BBC responded to the announcement with a reference to character Smithy’s favourite takeaway order and wrote: “We’ll have: A chicken bhuna, lamb bhuna, prawn bhuna, mushroom rice, bag of chips, keema naan, nine poppadoms and the last-ever episode of Gavin And Stacey!!! Coming this Christmas Day on BBC One and iPlayer.”

The news from Jones and Corden has delighted fans who had been desperately waiting for a conclusion to the pair’s on-screen romance.

Among the 14,000 to have so far commented on Corden’s post include former England footballer Rio Ferdinand, actress, presenter Amanda Holden and comedian John Bishop.