The Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special was watched by an audience of 18.5m, becoming the biggest BBC TV programme outside of sporting and national events since records began in 2002.

This also makes it the biggest single episode of any comedy programme across all channels since current records began in 2002.

Of the 18.5 million individuals who tuned in to see the Shipmans and the Wests reunited for Christmas in Barry, 4.9 million were 16-34 year olds.

James Corden and Ruth Jones say: “It’s mind blowing that so many people watched our show - we still can’t get our heads round it, what a massive compliment. We are indebted to the BBC for their incredible support but most importantly to those 18.5 million viewers for watching. We just hope one day we can let them know what Smithy said next...”

Charlotte Moore, Director BBC Content, says: “These incredible viewing figures demonstrate the power of British comedy and the love for Gavin and Stacey. I want to thank James and Ruth for this gem and like everyone I’m longing to find out what happens next!”

Shane Allen, Controller Comedy Commissioning, says: “I’m delighted for Ruth and James that their terrific comic creation is more adored than ever. BBC One really does bring the nation together, and these figures are testament to iPlayer’s role in bringing our hit shows to new generations of fans.”

Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special was written and created by Ruth Jones and James Corden, and made by Tidy and Fulwell 73 productions.

The show is available to view on BBC iPlayer.

Figures are measured using BARB’s updated 4-screen 28-day measure, which was introduced in August 2018 and includes viewing through TVs, as well as online non-TV devices.

Coronation Street in 2003 is the UK’s biggest ever TV programme outside of sporting and national events.

The biggest comedy before Gavin & Stacey was Only Fools And Horses with a seven day consolidated figure of 17.4m back in 2002. Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special has a 7-days 4-screen figure of 17.9m.

An earlier version of this release said that the Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special was the UK's biggest programme, this has been amended above.