Who would have thought that back in 2007 a comedy about a girl form Barry and an Essex lad would become the most-watched comedy of the 2010s?
But here we are. And on Christmas Day more than 11 million people sat down to catch up with the Wests, the Shipmans and Nessa.
Viewers saw how their lives have completely changed since the last episode aired nearly 10 years ago. Gavin and Stacey are living in Barry in Doris' old house with their three children, Nessa and Smithy are successfully co-parenting Neil the Baby and the gang finally came close to finding out what happened on the fishing trip.
But the characters themselves have changed too, some more than others.
Here's how the Gavin and Stacey characters looked in the first series compared to the Christmas special:
Gavin Shipman
It seems that while telephones have quickly evolved Gavin's hair remains mostly unchanged. I wonder what his secret is?
Stacey West/Shipman
Stacey's look has matured since the very first episode and the Christmas special but she is now a mother-of-three after all.
Nessa
Nessa has retained her unique brassy image and bold haircut. It wouldn't be same without her.
Smithy
One of those who's changed the most is Smithy, who now has an air of Hollywood about him. Could it be the stubble?
Pam Shipman
Pam still has the bleach blond hair with a full fringe but now her look is more refined and classy. You'd never guess that actress Alison Steadman is 73.
Mick Shipman
Mick hasn't changed a bit!
Gwen West
It's had to believe these scenes were filmed 12 years apart. Perhaps it's all the omelettes keeping Gwen looking so young?
Bryn West
Bryn is looking more polished in the Christmas special but he still hasn't given up the beige trousers or flammable polyester cardigans.
And like most slogan t-shirts, the infamous top Bryn wore to meet Gavin and Stacey when they returned from their honeymoon appears to have been repurposed as pyjamas.
Jason West
Of all the adults, Jason may have undergone the biggest change. The youthful goatee has since progressed into a full-on salt and pepper beard. Could he be on his way to being a silver fox?
Dawn Sutcliffe
Dawn is still high-maintenance and has the outfits to match.
Peter Sutcliffe
Has Pete's fashion sense got... better?
Neil the Baby
Obviously, Neil the Baby looks completely different. Here's Oscar Hartland, one of the actors who played Neil, in the 2008 and 2019 Christmas specials.
