In a remarkable testament to its lasting popularity, the beloved sitcom Gavin and Stacey has secured a surprise spot in the official list of the UK's most-watched television programmes for 2025, despite airing its final episode the previous year.
A Nostalgic Hit Defies Expectations
The data, which covers the first 46 weeks of the year using 28-day consolidated viewing figures, reveals that Gavin and Stacey: A Fond Farewell astonishingly clinched the number eight position. The 56-minute retrospective documentary, featuring the cast and crew reflecting on the show's 17-year legacy, was watched by 8.7 million viewers. It was narrowly beaten for seventh place by the premiere of The Great British Bake Off's sixteenth season, which attracted 8.72 million.
This achievement is particularly striking given that the show's climactic Christmas special, which saw Smithy and Nessa finally marry, aired on Christmas Day 2024 to a massive audience of 19 million. The enduring interest clearly carried over into the new year, with fans eager for one last look back. In fact, the farewell documentary's audience comfortably outstripped 2025's most-viewed Christmas broadcast, the King's Speech, which drew 6 million viewers.
The Full Top 10 of UK Television in 2025
The chart was dominated by major event television and streaming hits. Topping the list was the scandalous finale of The Celebrity Traitors, where host Alan Carr secured a dramatic win, pulling in a huge 15.4 million viewers. The top five was rounded out by the BBC's New Year's Eve Fireworks (13.3m), Netflix's coming-of-age film Adolescence (13.2m), the premiere of The Traitors season three (10.8m), and the launch of I'm a Celebrity's 25th series (10.6m).
Other notable entries included the Netflix adaptation of Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club in sixth place with 10 million viewers, and the premieres of Race Across The World and Unforgotten completing the top ten.
Legacy and Future Projects for the Cast
The success of the documentary wasn't the only time fans got a dose of nostalgia in 2025. Co-creator and star Ruth Jones cheekily reprised her iconic role as Nessa in the travel series Ruth And Steve: From Porthcawl With Love. While a return for Gavin and Stacey itself seems unlikely, Jones remains in high demand. She is set to play Mrs. Bennett in Netflix's upcoming Pride and Prejudice series, and there were reports in November 2025 that she had been approached to appear in the second season of The Celebrity Traitors.
Meanwhile, the civilian version of The Traitors continues to be a ratings juggernaut. Its fourth season, which began airing in the new year, is already building on its success, with its debut episode peaking at 6.9 million viewers.
Gavin and Stacey: A Fond Farewell is available to stream on BBC iPlayer, allowing new and old fans alike to relive the magic of the much-loved series.
