Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special was viewed for the equivalent of 80 YEARS on iPlayer... after over 11.6 million viewers tuned into festive episode
The Gavin & Stacey Christmas Day special saw 11.6 million viewers tuning in, with fans later demanding more episodes.
And it's now been revealed that the festive edition of the much-loved BBC show has been watched for the equivalent of 80 years on iPlayer.
The Sun reports that between the first broadcast on Christmas Day and the 29th December, fans of the show spent a whopping 29,495 days, or 707,889 hours tuning on the catch-up service.
Success: It's been revealed that the festive edition of Gavin & Stacey has been watched for the equivalent of 80 years on iPlayer
While the Overnights TV ratings system reports that it's been the 'most-watched programme' on demand across all channels.
The publication adds that Boxing Day saw the most amount of hits on the catch-up service, with a total 295,621 hours being watched.
The episode was watched by an average of 11.6 million viewers, making it the biggest festive special since Christmas Day 2008.
It secured nearly half (49.2%) of the total viewing audience during its slot, according to the BBC.
Wow: Between the first broadcast on Christmas Day and the 29th December, fans of the show spent a whopping 29,495 days, or 707,889 hours tuning on the catch-up service
The festive special ended with a shock cliffhanger which saw Nessa (played by Ruth Jones) propose to Smithy (James Corden).
The unexpected ending caused avid fans to demand more episodes as they were desperate to know what was occurring next.
It comes after Gavin and Stacey's Neil 'The Baby' actor Oscar Hartland revealed James Corden hinted the show may return for series four.
The actor said on Monday's Good Morning Britain that he asked James about whether the show could return, and he hinted that it might happen if there is enough audience interest.
Popular: While the Overnights TV ratings system reports that it's been the 'most-watched programme' on demand across all channels
Stats: The publication adds that Boxing Day saw the most amount of hits on the catch-up service, with a total 295,621 hours being watched
Oscar said: 'I did ask James in the process of filming. He said it's just what the people want.
'Me, I would love it to happen. It really depends what other people think about it and whether they like it or not.'
In a surprise twist of fate, Oscar was one of the two actors who played baby Neil in Gavin and Stacey's third series and returned to reprise his role in the festive special.
Oscar said on GMB he re-auditioned for the part of Neil but never expected to land the role for the second time.
He said: 'I didn't really get my hopes up as there were other people who did acting. I was in a couple of newspapers and they noticed me.
Achievement: The episode was watched by an average of 11.6 million viewers, making it the biggest festive special since Christmas Day 2008
Explosive: The festive special ended with a shock cliffhanger which saw Nessa (played by Ruth Jones) propose to Smithy (James Corden)
'I did my audition in Cardiff. A few weeks later I found out I got the job. It was really cool.
'I thought I was getting a different part but I actually got Neil. I was really excited about filming.'
He added that he was surprised by the show's cliffhanger ending, which saw Nessa proposed to Smith after confessing her love for him.
'I didn’t know about that. I was so excited at the time. I thought there has to be a season four and maybe a special,' Oscar added.
Exciting: Actor Oscar Hartland - who played Smithy and Nessa's son Neil 'The Baby,' said on GMB that James told him he'd only write another series if there was audience appetite
Fans have been demanding another series of Gavin and Stacey after the Christmas special left many questions hanging into the air.
As well as Nessa admitting she loved Smithy after decades of co-parenting their son and sexual liaisons, fans are still waiting to learn what happened on the infamous fishing trip between Uncle Bryn and Stacey's brother Jason.
So far James and co-star Ruth Jones have been tight-lipped about whether there are any plans to write future episodes.
Exciting: Oscar reprised his role as Neil in the Christmas special after being one of two actors to play him as a baby
Sweet: The actor also said that he still had audition for the part of Neil despite playing him as a child, and would love to see the show return for another series or special
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