Gavin and Stacey finale becomes most-watched Christmas Day programme in 16 years — as Nottinghamshire actor, Mathew Horne, of Burton Joyce returns in titular role

On Christmas Day, Burton Joyce-born actor Mathew Horne returned to our screens in the most watched Christmas Day programme in 16 years.

The Gavin and Stacey finale was broadcast on BBC One at 9pm on Christmas Day, and saw more than 12million viewers — not including those watching on catch-up.

Back in the titular role of Gavin was Mathew Horne, who despite his character being from Essex, was raised in Nottinghamshire and attended The Minster School, Southwell.

He has also appeared in the comedy drama 'Newark, Newark', set in the namesake town.

Gavin was joined by all the favourites — Stacey, Nessa, Smithy, Pam, Gwen, Bryn, Neil the Baby and more — back on TV for the first time in five years, after the the 2019 Christmas Special ended on a cliff hanger.

Their huge viewership beat out other festive favourites including Wallace and Gromit, Call the Midwife and EastEnders to top the ratings.

It earned a five star review from the Guardian, where it was branded “a beautiful, poignant piece of television”, and The Sun described it as an “old-fashioned love story that had momentum, heart, soul, staggeringly good stars”.