Oscar Hartland, known for his role in Gavin and Stacey, has apologised to fans following the final episode of the popular sitcom. The actor returned as an adult Neil the Baby for the last-ever episode of the BBC series, which was written and starred by creators James Corden and Ruth Jones.
This reunion came five years after the 2019 Christmas special, providing closure to the show's beloved characters after a cliffhanger ending. The finale, aired on Christmas Day (December 25) on BBC One, began in both Billericay, Essex, and Barry, South Wales, as Stacey and her husband Gavin's family prepared for a wedding.
Fans initially believed it would be between Smithy and Nessa, following her proposal in the 2019 Christmas special. However, viewers were disappointed to learn that the wedding was actually between Smithy and Sonia, his girlfriend from the 2019 Christmas Day episode, played by Laura Aikman.
The new special revealed that Nessa's previous proposal was interrupted before Smithy could respond, and they never discussed it again.
Fast-forward to the wedding day and, after a series of bridezilla moments, ring bearer and best man Gavin tells Smithy during the ceremony that he thinks he is making a mistake marrying Sonia. After many guests – including Neil the Baby, Smithy and Nessa's teenage son – stand up when asked if anyone else objects to the marriage, Smithy realises he has to confess his true love and leaves Sonia a jilted bride, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The gang then embark on a race against time to reach Nessa before she sets off from Southampton Dock to work on the ships, as Neil the Baby is set to move to Essex to begin an apprenticeship with his father. After a famously on-off relationship, Smithy proposed to Nessa and the final scene features a heartwarming montage of a low-key wedding, with Nessa sporting a black dress and the couple finally getting their happily ever after.
But while many branded the last episode as 'perfect', some did have one complaint - that we never found out what happened on the infamous fishing trip with Bryn and Jason. Jumping in on the joke, Oscar took to Instagram with a video in which he and his fellow young co-stars, who play Gavin and Stacey's children, could be seen stood outside a trailer before Jason actor Robert Wilfort.
In the caption of his post, Oscar penned: "Sorry guys #gavinandstacey #gavinandstacey2024 #thefishingtrip #reels #neilthebaby #jasongavinandstacey #gavinandstaceykids." (sic)
The video itself was overlaid with the text: "When you never found out what happened on the fishing trip."
Yet, it was Oscar's rendition of The Beatles' 'Blackbird' performed at the grand finale, after his stint on ITV's The Voice Kids in 2023, that prompted fans to issue a demand for the recording.
One fan pleaded: "Aside from the fishing trip, Neil the baby should have been on the bus to Southampton. Also, we need your cover of Blackbird to be released."
Another praised: "Oscar you sang Blackbird so beautifully, hopefully you will be able to release it?"
"Petition for you to release a cover of blackbird on spotify," a third commented, while another simply requested: "Neil the baby, pls release ur blackbird." (sic)
"Please release Blackbird," one more added, as another insisted: "Please release your cover."
Gavin and Stacey: The Finale is available to catch up now on BBC iPlayer.
