Gavin & Stacey finishes as it began...full of love

GAVIN & Stacey creators Ruth Jones and James Corden were tearful yesterday as they spoke about bringing back their much-loved creation for one final time.

- Nicola Methven

At the premiere of the BBC Christmas special, the pair admitted they were feeling "particularly nervous" ahead of unveiling the culmination of their 17-year journey.

But judging from the reception the feature-length festive special received, they need not have worried.

Asked what they thought was the key to its enduring success over three series and three Christmas specials since 2007, Ruth, 58, said love was at the heart of it.

She added: "I don't think we knew what the show was when we wrote the first episode.

"We knew where we were going in terms of the narrative, that we would end episode six with a wedding.

"But we got to know the characters as we went along. And what has remained is this sense of love.