Prepare to feel old because we have our first look at Neil the baby in the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special – and he’s far from a baby now.
Sending the internet into a frenzy, James Corden and Ruth Jones confirmed earlier this year that the beloved BBC comedy would be returning for one final episode.
It marks the first time the characters have been seen on screen since the 2019 Christmas special, which left us all on a cliffhanger as we wondered… did Smithy accept Nessa’s proposal?
Well, five years on, we might finally get our answer, although spoiler pictures aren’t giving much away.
What we do have a glimpse at, however, is how grown up Neil the baby is now as the actor was spotted on set with the starry cast.
Photos taken in Barry, Wales show cast battling the elements as they film outside Gwen’s house in the rain.
James’s Smithy and Ruth’s Nessa were joined by Rob Brydon (Bryn), who was dressed in the eccentric uncle’s signature smart attire of a polo shirt and tie.
Pulling up later in the passenger seat of dad Smith’s iconic car was Neil, played by actor Oscar Hartland, who is now 15 in the show.
Oscar, who played the son of Smithy and Nessa in the 2019 special as well, threw up peace signs and waved to onlookers as fans gathered around the set for a sneak peek at what was happening.
In between takes, the young star drank from a coffee cup as he chatted with crew, all smiles while filming one of the most anticipated TV episodes of the year.
Other snaps show James carrying a guitar, hinting at the possibility of a musical number in the upcoming ep.
Meanwhile, Ruth and Rob hugged it out and James got out his phone to film fans who had rocked up to show their support.
Neil the baby was born following a one-night-stand between Smithy and Nessa in the 2000s, while Nessa was in a relationship with Dave Coaches (Steffan Rhodri).
Then, in the 2019 episode, Neil was portrayed as a 10-year-old, with Smithy and Nessa co-parenting while he dated Sonia (Laura Aikman).
At the end of the episode, however, fans will remember all too well how Nessa finally admitted her feelings for the father of her child certainly hadn’t gone away, as she got down on one knee with a ring… only for the credits to roll before he could respond.
Oscar first started playing Neil as an infant and was gutted when he was reported to not be involved in the 2024 Christmas episode.
He previously told The Sun ahead of being contacted to return: ‘I’m disappointed. I was hoping to get the call.
‘Neil must feature in the final episode because he’s Smithy and Nessa’s son, they can’t write him out.’
As well as acting, Oscar appeared on TV last year when he auditioned for TheVoice Kids.
The budding musician, who is studying for his GCSEs, has also just released his first single.
He now has his ‘last chance’ to reprise his famous character, with both James and Ruth confirming that, after this year’s special, there will be no more Gavin and Stacey (sobs).
Details of the plot have been kept under wraps, however, viewers are likely to shed tears on Christmas Day – because one cast member did when reading the script.
Bryn’s Rob, 59, recently told Chris Evans on his Breakfast Show that he was incredibly moved after his first reading.
‘It was a couple of months before the cast saw the script. I only saw it, we were on holiday, we were away, about a month ago,’ he said.
‘I read it. Oh, it’s so good.’
‘Do you know what? I was moved to tears, because it’s emotional,’ he added.
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Gavin and Stacey’s final-ever episode airs on BBC One on Christmas Day.
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