Joanna Page "can't wait" to play the slot machines in Barry Island when she returns to film the Christmas special of 'Gavin and Stacey'.

Joanna Page

Joanna Page

On Tuesday morning (28.05.19), James Corden and Ruth Jones - who co-wrote the hit BBC sitcom and portray Smithy and Nessa Jenkins respectively - confirmed that the show is returning to screens on Christmas Day (25.05.19) for a one-off episode, and Joanna, is just as thrilled to head down to the amusements in the Welsh seaside resort as she is about reprising her titular role as Stacey.

Alongside the script, she wrote on Instagram: "It's happening!!! I'm so excited! Can't wait to get on the slots down Barry again!! #gavinandstacey #christmasspecial #barryisland (sic)"

Rob Brydon - who returns as Bryn West - also expressed his excitement of the comedy coming back to BBC One after nine years.

He tweeted: "SURPRISE!!! SURPRISE!!! SURPRISE!!! SURPRISE!!! SURPRISE!!! SURPRISE!!! SURPRISE!!!!!!!! (sic)"

'Late Late Show' host James took to Twitter on Tuesday (28.05.19) to reveal he and Ruth have been keeping the one-hour festive episode "secret for a while".

Alongside a picture of the script, he tweeted: "Ruth Jones and I have been keeping this secret for a while... We're excited to share it with you. See you on Christmas Day ⁦@BBCOne⁩ #GavinandStacey (sic)"

The BBC confirmed that Mathew Horne (Gavin) and Joanna (Stacey) - whose relationship is the focus of the show - and James and Ruth will be joined by returning cast members Rob, Larry Lamb, Melanie Walters and Alison Steadman.

In a statement, James and Ruth said: "Over the last ten years we've talked a lot about Gavin and Stacey - where they might be today and what their lives might look like. And so in secret we took the plunge and wrote this one-hour special. We've loved revisiting Barry and Essex again and bringing the characters back together has been a joy.

"We're so excited to get the chance to work with our fabulous cast and crew once more and to give fans of the show a festive treat this Christmas. Thank you BBC for helping to make this happen."

It's no surprise that the broadcaster jumped at the chance to bring the much-loved sitcom back for a special, as the 2010 New Year's Day finale was viewed by a record 10.25 million viewers.

Ruth had hinted last April that the show could make a comeback after chatting about the characters with James.

The 52-year-old star caught up with the 'Into the Woods' star to talk about what their characters would be up to now, prompting speculation there could be a fourth series on the way.

She said at the time: "James and I were talking about this [the characters] the other day.

"I think Baby Neil, who is now probably about 11 ... Nessa is training him down the slots.

"She's training him in the art of the dodgy grabber machine and how to weight the two pences."

'Gavin and Stacey' ran between 2007 and 2010.

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