I HOPE WE DID YOU PROUD..

Gavin & Stacey's fun finale | Tears as the cast bow out

- MARK JEFFERIES

IT'S a wrap. Our 17-year love affair with Gavin & Stacey came to an end last night and, as Nessa might say: "To be honest, at the end of the day, when all's said and done... it was cracking."

The writers Ruth Jones and James Corden, who also play Nessa and Smithy, wanted the finale to be unforgettable for the fans.

After watching it for the first time with an audience at a screening for cast and crew, Ruth said: "I'm feeling a bit drained. It was so lovely.

"I hope we did you proud. It was just lovely to hear all the reactions. To hear that very initial response, it's just gorgeous."

A tearful James said: "I just wanted it to feel satisfying, really."

The previous episode in 2019 ended with Nessa proposing to Smithy, and last night viewers thought they were seeing preparations for their wedding until it emerged that Smithy's bride was actually his snooty old flame Sonia, played by Laura Aikman.

James said: "What was really interesting is that after the 2019 special, all people would say to us was, "What does he say?' They would never say, 'Who did he choose?'.