The astonishing number of people who watched Gavin and Stacey Christmas finale revealed

The 'Gavin and Stacey' Christmas special became the most-watched programme on Christmas Day, drawing in 12.5 million viewers.

The much-anticipated final episode made a comeback last night with fans expressing their joy across social media platforms after a long five-year hiatus.

In 2019, the cliffhanger surrounding whether Smithy, played by James Corden, would say 'yes' to Nessa's (Ruth Jones) marriage proposal kept fans on edge. The holiday special opened with an unexpected twist—a wedding scene that left viewers stunned, reports the Mirror.

Contrary to what was expected, the wedding wasn't between Nessa and Smithy; instead, Smithy was set to marry his girlfriend Sonia, portrayed by Laura Aikman. But in a turn of unforeseen events, Gavin (Mathew Horne) heroically halted the proceedings mid-ceremony.

Smithy ditched Sonia at the altar to prevent Nessa from leaving on a ship, leading them to exchange their own vows. Smithy's proposal to Nessa, however, encountered yet another stumbling block.

As he urged Nessa to propose once more, she refused, prompting Smithy's heartfelt plea: "It's okay. Nessa, wait! Look, I don't know what it is or why it is or when this thing that was nothing became something. And right now it's everything.

"But it did. And I know it's been messy and not perfect. But that's because we're messy and not perfect. But I love you, Nessa. I always have. I mean, not always, but most of the time. And I get it. You don't have to ask me. I'll ask you. Nessa, I love you. Will you marry me? " This heartfelt speech finally saw the couple marrying in a small ceremony, bringing an end to their tumultuous love story.

Fans flocked to X, formerly Twitter, to share their thoughts on the episode. A satisfied viewer tweeted: "There will never be a better show than Gavin and Stacey. thanks for all the laughs and happy memories, you'll be missed! " Another user agreed: "That was the most perfect way to end Gavin + Stacey. Tonight I've laughed. I've cried. And everything in between. Ruth Jones, Nessa, and James Corden, Smithy, said at the premiere that the show's all about the emotions of love and everything in between - tonight showed that."

A third fan wrote: "SOBBING at gavin and stacey it's about bloody time nessa and smithy ffs heart is healed finally."

A fourth enthusiast exclaimed: "GAVIN AND STACEY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL YOU WERE EVERYTHING I WANTED AND MORE."

Other Christmas Day highlights included Wallace and Gromit and Vengeance Most Fowl, which drew 10 million viewers, and EastEnders with 8.7 million viewers.