All the ways Gavin and Stacey snubbed BBC ‘wokeness’ for Christmas Day finale – and fans are thrilled
GAVIN and Stacey returned to the BBC for its final ever episode – and thrilled fans by refusing to “go woke”.
Despite being aired on the corporation which prides itself in wokeness, the comedy series stayed true to itself 17 years on from the first episode.
Back in 2020. Gavin and Stacey was in the firing line when “sensitive” viewers complained about supposedly offensive content.
At the time, The Mighty Boosh, Little Britain and Come Fly With Me were all removed from BBC iPlayer, Netflix and BritBox.
It followed backlash over the 2019 Christmas special, which failed to remove the word “faggot” from the song, Fairytale Of New York.
Last night, more than 12 million fans tuned in for Gavin and Stacey: The Finale, which saw Nessa and Smithy finally say “I do”.
One viewer claimed its popularity has never waned because: “Go woke, go broke never applied to this. That’s why it’s so popular.
“Lesson for TV commissioners if they want to stay relevant.”
Here we take a look at some key moments that could be considered controversial:
Smoking
After arriving in Essex for Smithy’s wedding, Nessa is seen smoking a vape in one hand and taking a drag of a cigarette in another.
“I thought you were packing that in”, Smithy said.
“Or at least one of them.”
Nessa replied: “It was a long drive.”
Last month the government introduced a Tobacco and Vapes Bill in Parliament to create a smoke-free generation by phasing out the sale of tobacco products across the UK to anyone aged 15 or younger this year.
On ITV, reality show contestants who smoke must do so off-screen.
For instance, in Love Island stars go off camera out the front door of the villa and in Big Brother there’s a hidden room for smoking with one housemate at a time.
Although the BBC has not broken any rules, its official guidelines suggest smoking and vaping must not be condoned, encouraged or glamorised in content likely to be widely seen, heard or used by children and young people, unless there is editorial justification.
Alcohol
The Essex and Barry clans gathered for celebrations ahead of Smith’s wedding to Sonia.
Stacey’s brother Jason brings Ravgift Vodka to the bash – also known as “fox poison”.
Jason explained: “It’s a kind of vodka liqueur they drink in Sweden. It’s 95 per cent.”
Talkshow host Graham Norton previously revealed the BBC has a strict rule for alcohol on set.
They do offer the celebs a drink, but there is a limit.
He said: “There is a drink waiting for them out there if they want it, but the most you can really have is two or three drinks, tops.
“If you want to be drunk – and clearly some people do – you’ve got to arrive pre-liquored.”
Although the BBC has not broken any rules, its official guidelines suggest misuse of alcohol must not be condoned, encouraged or glamorised in content likely to be widely seen, heard or used by children and young people, unless there is editorial justification.
‘Chinese Alan’ returns
The sitcom set in South Wales and Essex features a character called ‘Chinese Alan’.
He made a return last night to join James Corden’s character on his stag do.
‘Chinese Alan’ made several appearances in all three series of Gavin and Stacey.
He is played by white actor Dominic Gaskell, who is not Chinese. It is believed the character supposedly earned his nickname after working as a delivery driver for a Chinese takeaway.
In series one, ‘Chinese Alan’ arrives at Gavin’s house ahead of his stag do.
Gavin, Smithy and their pals chant “Chinese, Chinese” as he walks through the door and declares: “Did somebody order a Chinese?!”
Nessa’s ‘triggered’
Nessa kicks off the series riding a tuk tuk as a way of making extra cash for her son Neil The Baby.
She charges an elderly couple £75 for a couple of minutes being wheeled by the seaside and hits back with 2024 buzz words when they dare to complain.
Nessa rages: “Oh love, I’m just speaking my truth.
“I find your abusive tone very triggering.
“You’re damaging my mental health.”
‘Objectified’ stripper
Stacey hired a stripper for Sonia’s hen do – but it didn’t get the reaction she expected.
Smithy’s fiance was horrified by the half-naked man dancing in front of her
“Stop, stop, stop. It’s not that kind of hen. We’re just not the kind of people who…”
“Objectify men,” her friend said to finish off her the sentence.
Despite Pam explaining “it’s just a bit of fun”, Sonia told the stripper: “I don’t like it, can you put your clothes back on please.”
Sonia and her friends were made to look uptight and stuffy – as Gwen praised the stripper’s talents and Stacey furiously rolled her eyes.