James Corden managed to break ratings records with his beloved TV sitcom returning for a one-off episode on Christmas Day.

corden, former host The Late Late Show, is whatcreator Gavin and Stacey –which first premiered on the day BBC in 2007 where it became a huge hit. He created the show with Ruth Jones and stars Smith and Nessa, a couple who have a complicated relationship.

The show follows the eponymous characters, played by Matthew Horne and Joanna Page, as they fall in love and build their lives in Barry, Wales. Set in Wales and Essex, England, where Gavin is from, the show became a hit when it first aired for its humor and loving portrayal of family and friendship.

Its first three seasons ended in 2010, but the show returned in 2019 for its first Christmas special, ending on a huge cliffhanger where Nessa got down on one knee and proposed to Smithy.

Why it matters

This year Gavin and Stacey he returned for another Christmas episode, which was also his finale.

The episode broke ratings records in Corden’s native Britain, where it averaged 12.3 million viewers and was the most-watched show on Christmas Day since 2008.

Corden rose to fame in the UK thanks to Gavin and Stacey, but gained international prominence when he became a late-night television host in the US. He left Late Late Show last year and has since focused on film production, acting in theater in London’s West End and hosting his own podcast.

He explained the impact Gavin and Stacey and why he believed in a recent interview that people were sad to say goodbye to it.

“The more I thought about it, I wonder if it’s actually a lesson in patience,” Corden told the media before the finale. “Especially in television or the way we consume things, we’re talking about content, we’re talking about consumers, and we’re talking about speed. And we’ve decided that speed is the most important thing in anything you can do.”

What people are saying

Fans reacted to the emotional finale on X, formerly Twitter, where they praised the episode.

“That finale was nothing short of a masterpiece. James Corden and Ruth Jones – that was neat. Give yourselves a round of applause 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻,” wrote @blondebomber159.

“Ruth Jones and James Corden just delivered the best Christmas present ever. Exceptional television,” @film_lust commented.

“Ruth Jones and James Corden could do with a masterclass in how to write the perfect finale because the #GavinandStacey finale was a TRIUMPH!! I laughed and cried tonight. It was like saying goodbye to old friends and it’s bittersweet but I’m in happy with that, thank you all,” @jax_ljones added.

What will happen next?

One of Corden’s next gigs will be in 2025, The Smurfs Movie, alongside an all-star cast including Rihanna and Kurt Russell.

Corden also teased that he would like to create another TV show with Jones during an interview on Heart Radio in the UK