Gavin & Stacey: The Finale has been receiving rave reviews by show critics and loyal fans since it was aired on Christmas Day (Wednesday, December 25). Many viewers found themselves laughing and even crying at various moments that would mark the final ever episode of the hit BBC comedy series Gavin & Stacey.
For almost two decades, co-creators James Corden and Ruth Jones’ writing has brought many characters to life in the series which follows the relationship of Gavin (played by Mathew Horne) and Stacey (played by Joanna Page) on both sides of the Severn Bridge. As the series went on, we got to see the couple navigate their relationship and their family life.
On Christmas Day (Wednesday, December 25), fans got to say goodbye to the show’s beloved cast and see how the show concluded in the last ever episode. The last time we saw the Shipman and West families was back in 2019, for another Christmas Special, where Nessa (played by Ruth Jones) professed her love to Smithy (played by James Corden) and got down on one knee to ask him to marry her.
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Gavin & Stacey: The Finale showed exactly what happened following from this five years on. If you haven’t watched the last ever episode, then head over to BBC iPlayer now. If you have and want to see what our lifestyle editor, Kathryn Williams, had to say about the special episode, head over to her review here. For the latest TV & Showbiz news, sign up to our newsletter.
During the finale episode, Smithy was looking forward to his wedding day, with Gavin and his friends following tradition and hosting a stag do for him. In the stag do, Gavin and Smithy, who arrive late due to drinking and partying the night before, are joined by their beloved friends from Essex in various football shirts, including Budgie (played by Russell Tovey), Dirtbox (played by Andrew Knott), Chinese Alan (Dominic Gaskell) and Fingers (played by Samuel Anderson).
But there was one iconic character from Smithy and Gavin’s group of friends that was missing. Many fans may have spotted that the actor Mathew Baynton had not reprised his role as the quirky yet sweet character of Deano. The actor, famous for also starring in CBBC’s Horrible Histories and the BBC comedy The Wrong Mans alongside James Corden, played the role from 2008 until 2009 in the previous series.
Deano, played by Mathew Baynton, was famous for learning Welsh before his night out with his friends in Cardiff -Credit:BBC
Deano was known as the friend who didn’t go bowling because he was “scared of the shoes”, as well as requesting a half and half cup of tea and coffee at Pam and Mick’s and also learning Welsh before the boys’ night out in Cardiff. It seemed that many fans were surprised not to see Deano return to our screens for the final ever episode.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan wrote: “It was perfect, but Deano turning up in a Millwall shirt on the stag would been the icing on the cake”. Another said: “Only question… where on earth was Deano”. While another said: “A sprinkle of Deano and it would have been 11/10”.