Gavin and Stacey will return to screens this Christmas

James Corden announced there was a Christmas special in the works.

James Corden surprised Gavin and Stacey fans by posting a picture of a script for a new episode.

The Late Late show host, who rose to fame as Smithy on the hit sitcom, announced on Twitter that he and co-writer Ruth Jones have keeping the new Christmas special 'a secret for a while'.

The Bafta-winning sitcom, about a long-distance relationship between a girl from south Wales and an Essex boy, aired it's final episode in the UK in 2010.

In a joint statement, Corden and Jones - who also stars in the show - 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.

They added: "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."

Gavin and Stacey is widely regarded as one of the UK's most successful sitcoms, with over 10 million people tuning in to watch the New Year's Day finale.

Corden, will be joined by Jones - who plays Nessa - in addition to Mathew Horne and Joanna Page who play the titular couple.

Rob Brydon, Larry Lamb, Melanie Walters and Alison Steadman will also appear when episode airs in December.