TWO of the biggest streamers are poised to go to war with the Beeb for any Gavin & Stacey spin-off by offering multi-million pound deals to the creators.
The Sun exclusively revealed this year how Netflix wanted to snap up the festive special, which ultimately aired on BBC One on Christmas Day — with 12.5million viewers tuning in.
Now Disney+ and Apple TV+ are said to be considering approaching creators Ruth Jones and James Corden and the sitcom’s producers about any future version.
A TV insider said: “They see the viewing figures for the Christmas episode and realise how Gavin & Stacey has massive longevity.
“More and more of the streamers, who are often associated more with the US, want to be seen as having an increasing amount of distinctly ‘British’ content.
“Gavin and Stacey, and any spin-off, fits that bill perfectly, so they’ll be willing to shell out seven or eight-figure sums to secure a deal.”
Netflix has already ruled itself out of any bidding war, yesterday saying it was “never been in any discussions about Gavin & Stacey.”
But other streamers have already shown they are keen to bag more UK-based programmes, particularly newly developed comedy series.
Disney+ aired a TV adaptation of The Full Monty in 2023 and this year Apple TV+ gave us comedy series The Completely Made up Adventures of Dick Turpin, with English comedian Noel Fielding.
The Sun revealed last week how BBC bosses were keen for a Gavin & Stacey spin-off after the finale scored the highest Christmas Day TV audience for 16 years.
Central characters Nessa and Smithy — played by Jones and Corden — got married in the sitcom’s conclusion, which brought an end to the series after 17 years.
But it did not close the door on possible breakaway shows starring some of the other loved characters.
Just before the finale aired, Corden discussed writing with Jones once again.
He said: “I can honestly say, for me personally, if we didn’t attempt to try and even just explore the idea of writing together I’d be so disappointed.”
The huge interest in the beloved programme is set to continue tomorrow — on New Year’s Day at 7pm — when BBC One airs an hour-long documentary, Gavin & Stacey: A Fond Farewell.
It will be an official goodbye to the show, featuring interviews with all of the cast members as well as behind-the-scenes footage of filming for the Christmas Day finale.
