James Corden has admitted that his involvement in Gavin & Stacey changed his life "in every way".
The beloved comedy returns for one final episode on Christmas Day, more than 17 years after it started out as an understated show on BBC Three.
Corden, who stars as Smithy, created and wrote the show with Ruth Jones (Nessa) and credits it for launching his career, which has seen him host one of America's top talk shows, the Grammy Awards and the Brits, as well as appear in films such as Cats.
"Gavin & Stacey is just a huge part of my life, it changed my life in every way," he said. "The thing it means to me most is my friendship with Ruth. To have an idea with a friend in a hotel in Leeds 20 years ago and then be sat here today with what it's become... if you think about it too much you could really just start crying all the time. I love her so much and I'm so proud of what we've done."
The most recent special - broadcast over Christmas 2019 - pulled in 18.5 million viewers, a figure that could well be topped with the finale.
"It's difficult for me to say why the show is popular and loved," Corden continued. "I think fundamentally the show is about love and about people who like each other. It's about family and friendship.
"There's just so much warmth and love within them as a group. None of that is faked, that's all there in our relationships as a cast really. I think there's something very pure about watching people who get on and love each other without conflict. I hope people feel that on Christmas Day."
Gavin & Stacey: The Finale airs at 9pm on BBC One on Christmas Day.
Neil Wilkes
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