Why The Original Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special Is A True Festive Masterpiece

Posted on 23/12/2023 by Boris Clair

While every year there are moans and groans about the Christmas TV schedules being packed with repeats, there’s one show that we definitely don’t mind watching again and again – the original Gavin & Stacey special.

The BBC sitcom had been running for two seasons by the time we got the first festive episode in 2008, and what a Christmas special it was.

While we’d seen plenty of interactions between the entire Shipman and West clan in the years previous, there was a real moment of joy seeing them all prepare for their first Christmas together following Gavin and Stacey’s wedding.

Not only did the hour-long episode deliver on comedy and plot, but it also highlighted all those little Christmas foibles that go on in households up and down the country come 25 December.

And while it was a burst of nostalgia having the gang back together in 2019 for the much-anticipated reunion episode, there’s something magical about the original that made it such a festive masterpiece.

Here’s why it’s a show that’s worthy of repeat viewing every December…

1. Pam’s take on Christmas cards

Pam had strong views on when to send Christmas cards

Before 2008, we were always baffled as to why some people would send their Christmas cards before December had even rolled around, but Pam Shipman imparted some serious wisdom on us that made us completely reverse our stance.

“What is the point of sending cards that arrive on Christmas Eve? They’ll get taken down in a few days. That’s why I send all mine on the first of November. Gives people seven weeks to enjoy them,” she said.

You have to admit, she has a point, right?

2. John who?

Speaking of Christmas cards, Pam and Mick also tapped into something we’ve all heard our parents say when they receive a festive greeting from someone they cannot quite place.

“Oh, look at that, ‘From John’… It could be mechanic John… It won’t be John from Ann and John.”

3. Doris being ‘absolutely twatted’ before lunchtime on Christmas Eve

A relatable queen.

4. Nessa in the grotto

“Oh! Oh! Oh! Merry Christmas” was an inspired piece of writing from Ruth Jones and James Corden.

5. Gavin and Smithy’s sing-a-long

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It’s the scene that inspired James Corden’s Carpool Karaoke, and despite the fact he’s had the likes of Adele, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga join him in his car to sing along to their biggest hits, it’s still Smithy’s duet down the phone on Do They Know It’s Christmas? that remains the original and the best.

We’ve also never been able to say Midge Ure’s name the same way since.

6. The mint Baileys scene

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The scene where Gwen and Bryn share their first ever mint Baileys before boarding the coach to Essex wasn’t big or flashy, but it had a quiet comfort and poignancy about it, which Gavin & Stacey always nails so perfectly.

7. Mick’s turkey saga

Are you basting it? Are you soaking it overnight? Are you doing it the Nigella way? Or are you sticking to Jamie Oliver, because you “know where you are with him”?

Through the characters of Mick and Pete, the Christmas special managed to perfectly encapsulate the bizarre obsession and competitiveness dads have with other men about their turkeys each year.

8. The fight

Pam wasn't exactly thrilled with Gavin's news — Pam wasn’t exactly thrilled with Gavin’s news

Pam’s eruption after finding out her “little prince” was planning on relocating to Barry set off a chain of events that made this scene one of the most memorable in Gavin & Stacey history.

Not only did Alison Steadman absolutely commit to the moment, but we also saw Gwen finally stand up to Pam, Nessa threaten to “see her outside” (and Pam stupidly believe she could take her on), before Pete went toe-to-toe with Dave Coaches to defend Dawn’s honour.

Admittedly, there’s some language that we’d hope wouldn’t make it into the script in 2021, and we were very pleased when they all put the row behind them. But it has to be said, this scene shook up the dynamic between all the characters and also sent up those fights that happen in every family each festive season.

9. Pam and Mick’s royal romp

We learned that Pam’s obsession with the Duchess of Cornwall translated into the bedroom as she prepared to be “knighted” with Mick’s “special sword” while he was wearing a comedy pair of Prince Charles ears.

10. Pam’s vegetarianism comes unstuck

As “Three Steaks Pam” faced the prospect of a turkey-less Christmas after her long-standing lies about being a vegetarian, it transpired she hadn’t fooled anyone with her stance on meat – except for Gwen that is, who had bought her a vegetarian cookbook for Christmas.

11. The opening of the ‘presents’

Nessa and Dave gifted everyone a single chocolate from a box of Celebrations

Never before had we been so eager to see which Celebration someone was eating, and we definitely still relate to Smithy wrapping all his presents in tin foil for ease.

Doris gifting Gwen talcum powder, despite her still having a stack of it unused at home from previous years, was also a foible we’ve seen play out during present openings over the years.

12. The Nessa and Smithy sexual tension

Smithy didn't want Nessa to marry Dave — Smithy didn’t want Nessa to marry Dave

Years before we got the 2019 Christmas proposal, there was a special moment between Nessa and Smithy that gave fans hope that the characters would finally end up together as Smithy urged her not to marry Dave Coaches.

13. The end song

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No, you’re crying.

All episodes of Gavin & Stacey are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

These Are The UK’s Favourite Christmas Songs And No, Mariah Isn’t Number One

Posted on 22/12/2023 by Boris Clair

We are just days away from Christmas and now that we know that Wham! officially beat Sam Ryder to the coveted number one spot, we can reveal the UK’s favourite Christmas songs ever and it turns out that despite all of our memes, Mariah Carey somehow isn’t the number one fave.

Yes, according to research conducted by digital headphones magazine Headphonesty, which looked at Google search data to determine which of Spotify’s top 100 songs are most loved by Britons, we don’t give our top slot to the popular favourite.

In fact, the song that hits the top of our charts… technically, arguably… isn’t a Christmas song.

With a winning 32,621 average searches per month, Somewhere Only We Know by Lily Allen is the UK’s favourite Christmas song. To be fair, it is the biggest Christmas song of the 21st century by a British artist but we’re still surprised to learn that it beats all other Christmas classics.

The most popular Christmas songs in the UK

Following closely behind at number two is of course, Mariah Carey Classic All I Want For Christmas Is You but then, and maybe it’s just me, they get a little weird.

Coming in at number three is the soulful hymn Silent Night followed by Jingle Bells, and Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.

it’s worth noting, then, that only one of the top five Christmas songs in the UK actually came out this century.

However, recent research from CSGO Luck reveals that globally, people have a touch more taste. Sorry.

New streaming data reveals that Wham!’s 1986 hit Last Christmas is the highest-earning and most streamed Christmas song that has been released in the past 50 years.

The Wham! classic is followed by All I Want For Christmas is You, Ariana Grande’s Santa Tell Me, Michael Bublé’s rendition of It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas and Sia’s Snowman.

Commenting on these findings, a spokesperson for CSGOLuck said, “Social media once again has revealed its power, as you would expect more classic Christmas songs to rank within the top 10. Most of the songs in the ranking have been, to some extent, trending on TikTok or Instagram, resulting in a surge of streams.”

I think I’ll stick to our girl Mariah.

Music History Has Just Been Made As This Year’s Christmas Number 1 Is Revealed

Posted on 22/12/2023 by Boris Clair

Wham! have emerged victorious in the race for this year’s Christmas number one.

The pop duo’s festive hit Last Christmas was revealed to have topped the charts on Friday, almost 40 years after its release.

Last Christmas first debuted in 1984, and was initially held off the top spot by Band Aid’s charity single Do They Know It’s Christmas?.

While it’s since topped the UK singles chart on several occasions in the streaming era – this marks the first time it’s landed the coveted number one spot at Christmas, which Andrew Ridgeley has said was always George Michael’s hope for the track.

“Last Christmas has finally ascended to the much-cherished and sought-after official Christmas number one, which was always the main goal,” he told the Official Charts Company on Friday.

“George would be beside himself [that] after all of these years, [we’ve] finally obtained Christmas number one. Yog said that he wrote Last Christmas with the intention of writing a Christmas number one. It’s mission accomplished!”

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This new feat makes Last Christmas the longest ever time between a song’s release and its ascent to the top of the Christmas charts, at 39 years.

“Christmas number one has been a long-held ambition for Yog and I,” Andrew added of his late bandmate. “And for the fans, too. It’ll mean a lot to Wham!’s legacy – it’s the crowning glory.

“Last Christmas was conceived as a Christmas number one. Lofty ambitions, but Yog set lofty ambitions for himself as a songwriter. Our fans will have a real sense of achievement and pride in the fact it’s become Christmas number one.”

Wham! had stiff competition from Eurovision favourite Sam Ryder in this week’s chart.

Sam Ryder performing at Camp Bestival earlier this year

Sam’s festive original You’re Christmas To Me – which is an Amazon exclusive, and marks his first release as an independent artist – landed the number two spot, matching the success of his breakthrough hit Space Man.

“Christmas number two, isn’t that bonkers?” he said. “When we wrote this song, in the blazing month of August, we didn’t even expect it to chart. But here we are, in a Mariah Carey and Wham! sandwich, and we’re the filling. I’m stoked!”

Addressing his fellow musicians, Sam added: “I hope this has given some vigour and some fire to upcoming grass roots and indie artists. You can do it – you’ve just got to set your heart ablaze and get out there.

“Believe, have faith. We always keep fighting. There’s always next week!”

He also revealed he still has a chart-topper in his sights, stating: “Let’s go for it again, let’s get that number one.”

Behind him at number three is Mariah Carey’s festive tune All I Want For Christmas Is You, while Noah Kahan has the week’s highest non-Christmas single with Stick Season at number four.

Completing the top five is Ed Sheeran and Sir Elton John’s duet Merry Christmas, ahead of The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl’s Fairytale Of New York, which was previously reported to be in contention for the top spot, at number six.

Wham! Manager Reveals Why George Michael Was ‘Slightly Upset’ By Last Christmas

Posted on 21/12/2023 by Boris Clair

Former Wham! manager Simon Napier-Bell is opening up about the duo’s iconic holiday track Last Christmas.

Napier-Bell, in a recent interview with The Telegraph, remarked on how “extraordinary” it is that the track holds up today before revealing how the late singer-songwriter George Michael viewed the song.

“He was always slightly upset by the fact [that] he naggingly knew it was the best thing he ever wrote,” Napier-Bell said. “George, above all, really wanted to be remembered as a great songwriter. And I think at the bottom of his mind… it was rather annoying that the song he got so perfect was a Christmas song.”

The former Wham! manager, elsewhere in the interview, referred to the song as a “magnificent piece of work.”

“How can you create a Christmas song that has bells in it, which says ‘Christmas’ every three seconds, and yet has nothing cheesy about it?” he said of the 1984 song.

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YouTube Channel: https://Wham.lnk.to/YT_Subscribe \n \nWATCH LAST CHRISTMAS 4K MUSIC VIDEO ► https://Wham.lnk.to/lastchristmasplaylistAY \nWATCH CARELESS WHISPER HD MUSIC VIDEO ► https://GeorgeMichael.lnk.to/carelessplaylistAY \nWATCH WAKE ME UP HD MUSIC VIDEO ► https://Wham.lnk.to/toptracksplaylistAY \nWATCH CLUB TROPICANA 4K MUSIC VIDEO ►https://Wham.lnk.to/ctplaylistAY \n \nFollow Wham!:\nTik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wham\nInstagram – https://www.instagram.com/whamofficial\nTwitter – https://twitter.com/WhamOfficial_\nFacebook – https://www.facebook.com/Wham\n \n#Wham #Last Christmas #WhamOfficial #GeorgeMichael #WhamOfficialVideo #WhamLive #LastChristmas #WakeMeUpBeforeYouGoGo #WhamLastChristmas #EverythingSheWants #GeorgeMichael #AndrewRidgeley #WhamNetflix #Netflix #80sMusic\n\nLyrics\n\nLast Christmas\nI gave you my heart\nBut the very next day you gave it away\nThis year\nTo save me from tears\nI’ll give it to someone special\n\nLast Christmas\nI gave you my heart\nBut the very next day you gave it away\nThis year\nTo save me from tears\nI’ll give it to someone special\n\nOnce bitten and twice shy\nI keep my distance\nBut you still catch my eye\nTell me, baby\nDo you recognize me?\nWell, it’s been a year\nIt doesn’t surprise me\n\nHappy Christmas\n\nI wrapped it up and sent it\nWith a note saying \"I love you\"\nI meant it\nNow I know what a fool I’ve been\nBut if you kissed me now\nI know you’d fool me again\n\nLast Christmas\nI gave you my heart\nBut the very next day you gave it away\nThis year\nTo save me from tears\nI’ll give it to someone special\n\nLast Christmas\nI gave you my heart\nBut the very next day you gave it away\nThis year\nTo save me from tears\nI’ll give it to someone special\n\nOh, oh, baby\n\nA crowded room\nFriends with tired eyes\nI’m hiding from you\nAnd your soul of ice\nMy god, I thought you were someone to rely on\nMe? I guess I was a shoulder to cry on\n\nA face on a lover with a fire in his heart\nA man under cover, but you tore me apart\nNow I’ve found a real love. 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Last Christmas has seen a resurgence in interest in recent years, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in January.

The track reached the top spot on the U.K. singles chart just in time for New Year’s Day 2021, over 36 years after the song’s release.

The holiday hit holds the No. 4 and No. 1 spots on the Billboard and U.K. charts, respectively, as of late Wednesday.

The song has led TikTok users to take part in the “Whamageddon” game, as well, which Forbes described as a “two-decade-old challenge” where people have to avoid hearing Last Christmas before 25 December.

Andrew Ridgeley, one half of Wham!, told People magazine that the song was “absolutely knockout” when he heard it for the first time.

“It sounded for all the world like a Christmas classic,” Ridgeley said.

“It’s Christmas distilled if you ask me,” he added. “It’s the essence of Christmas.”

Malcolm In The Middle Could Return To Our Screens If This 1 Thing Happens

Posted on 20/12/2023 by Boris Clair

Family sitcom Malcolm In The Middle was a firm favourite in many households during its six year run until the show ended in 2006.

The show starred Frankie Muniz as Malcolm alongside Bryan Cranston, Jane Kaczmarek as his parents and Christopher Kennedy Masterson, Justin Berfield and Erik Per Sullivan starring as his brothers Francis, Reese and Dewey.

The show won an array of awards both in America and here in the UK and has continued to be popular on streaming services. For a while now, a lot of fans have been asking if one day there could be a reunion of the cast.

After all, where did they end up? Is Dewey still as cute as an adult? Does Malcolm himself lighten up a little once teenage hormones wear off? Are Hal and Lois still together?

Now, Frankie Muniz has revealed in an interview with Mayim Bialik on her podcast Bialik Breakdown that we could be seeing the family together again, just on one small condition.

Frankie revealed that although he didn’t watch the show when it was airing, when it arrived on streaming, he watched the entirety of it for the first time ever and had a couple of surprising revelations.

He said: “My perspective of the show completely changed from what I thought the show was to what it actually was when I watched it. What I thought the show we were making was compared to what it was.”

“Even characters, when we were filming the show, I was like, “I don’t really like that character.” They became my favourite characters as a viewer,” he added.

I bet he’s talking about Reese.

He then posted a tweet saying he would love to know where Malcolm and his family are now and said that the response seemed to be unanimous, “yeah, that’d be great.”

It wasn’t just fans that were excited, though. Frankie revealed that all of the cast started emailing each other saying “we’ve got to do this, we’ve got to do it.”

There is just one issue. The creator of the show, Linwood Boomer, who based the story of Malcolm in the Middle on his own life story, needs to give a reboot the go-ahead and for now, it’s not quite the time.

Frankie explained: “The only – I don’t want to call it a hiccup, because it’s not a hiccup. The creator of the show Linwood Boomer, when we contacted him, he was like, “I think it would be amazing.” He’s like, “But I don’t want to do it.” He’s like, ‘Because I just don’t have time, because I’m focused on my charity and I’m focused on this.’”

However, all is not lost for us fans. Linwood has said that if two, unnamed by Frankie, writers get involved and come up with something good, he’ll give his “blessing”.

It seems that wheels are turning as Frankie said: “So really for the last couple of years, Bryan Cranston and these two writers… Bryan’s been heading, kind of pushing it, because he really loves the idea of putting together a script and figuring out what it could be. And we’ll see what happens.”

Let’s hope we’ll see our favourite family back together soon.

Everything You Need To Know About RuPaul’s DragCon UK 2024

Posted on 20/12/2023 by Boris Clair

Bring back our girls! RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 5 has left a gaping hole (ahem) in our hearts since it finished, but fortunately DragCon is now just around the corner.

So with it less than a month away, what can expect as all things RuPaul’s Drag Race descends on London in January?

When and where is RuPaul’s DragCon UK 2024?

RuPaul’s DragCon UK takes place at ExCeL London on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January, with After Hours Parties featuring some of your favourite RuPaul’s Drag Race.

The newly crowned Ginger Johnson and entire cast of the RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Series 5 will kick things off on Friday evening, followed by a celebration of Global Drag with Global Glamazons on Saturday.

Which drag queens will be at the event?

2024 will be the biggest DragCon lineup ever and will see over 180 queens bring drag excellence to the UK.

Queens confirmed to attend RuPaul’s DragCon UK so far include US winners Jaida Essence Hall and Aquaria, UK favourites Lawrence Chaney, Black Peppa, Baga Chipz and Divina De Campo, as well as international stars such as Pagina Heels and Hannah Conda.

You can see the full list here.

What about Michelle Visage?

Oh yes, Mother will be in attendance. RuPaul’s Drag Race judge superstar Michelle Visage will also host the first-ever WOW Presents Plus live broadcast, LIVE from the Pink Carpet, and give global fans a close look at the hottest action from The Queen’s Walk. She’ll be getting the juicy scoop with the all-important carpet-side interviews – we can’t wait to get the tea.

Michelle Visage said: “Dragcon’s Pink Carpet is the Met Gala of drag excellence! I am so excited to host the first live broadcast in WOW Presents Plus herstory. We are going to share the fashion eleganza from your favourite queens globally for the very first time LIVE. These queens better bring it, because the world will be watching.”

Will RuPaul be there?

Just days before the 75th Primetime Emmy® Awards, where RuPaul’s Drag Race has been nominated in an impressive 9 categories, Mama Ru will be passing the baton over to his best judy Michelle Visage in his absence – so sorry to any attendees hoping to catch a glimpse of Ru!

What are the opening times?

General Admission Attendees
○ Saturday 13th January – 10:00 to 18:00
○ Sunday 14th January – 10:00 to 17:00
● VIP All Star Attendees
○ Saturday 13th January – 9:00 to 18:00
○ Sunday 14th January – 9:00 to 17:00
● After Hours* (Separately Ticketed Events)
○ Friday 12th January – 19:00 to 21:00 (Kick Off)
○ Saturday 13th January – 19:00 to 21:00

How do I get tickets to DragCon UK?

The largest celebration of drag culture returns to the UK at London ExCeL on 13th and 14th January 2024, with prices starting from just £40 for a General Admission Single Day pass. For updates and to book tickets to RuPaul’s DragCon UK, please visit: https://uk.rupaulsdragcon.com/.

Dame Esther Rantzen Joins Dignitas While Trying ‘Miracle’ Lung Cancer Treatment

Posted on 19/12/2023 by Boris Clair

Broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen told BBC 4′s The Today Podcast that, if the current “miracle” treatment she’s trying for her lung cancer doesn’t work, she “might buzz off to Zurich,” where she has joined Dignitas.

The company is based in Switzerland, where ― unlike in the UK ― assisted suicide is legal.

Dignitas is a not-for-profit organisation where physicians assist the deaths of members who have terminal illnesses or are otherwise facing “unendurable” pain or disability, and who have made a “reasoned request” to end their life.

Members must offer medical proof of their condition to be considered for assisted dying.

The That’s Life! presenter says that part of her reason for becoming a member involves her family’s feelings.

“If you watch someone you love having a bad death, that memory obliterates all the happy times,” she said.

Assisted suicide is not currently legal in Britain

Right now, assisted suicide is punishable by up to 14 years in prison under the terms of the Suicide Act (1961).

This hasn’t escaped Esther, who says “my family and friends in a difficult position [if she chose to die by assisted suicide at Dignitas], because they would want to go with me, and that means that the police might prosecute them”.

She said on the podcast that it should be up to individuals to decide “how you want to go and when you want to go,” saying of those against assisted dying, “If you just base everything on the worst case scenario, you’ve got to have a look at the advantages as well.”

Levelling-up Secretary Michael Gove said after the interview that it might be time for the Commons to “revisit” the topic of assisted dying.

“I have great respect and affection for Dame Esther,” he said, before adding “I am not yet persuaded of the case for assisted dying ― but I do think it’s appropriate for the Commons to revisit this.“

Dame Esther Rantzen is looking forward to this Christmas

“I thought I’d fall off my perch within a couple of months if not weeks [after her cancer diagnosis]”, Esther shared on the podcast.

“I certainly didn’t think I’d make my birthday in June, which I did, and I definitely didn’t think I’d make this Christmas, which I am, it appears ― although anything can happen,” she added.

When asked about the moments in her life she’d want to relive, Dame Esther said “I think I would like to relive this Christmas ― the Christmas that I didn’t expect to have with my family is going to be so precious. And I think that once it’s over, I would like to be able to relive it.”

Antiques Roadshow Guest’s Teletubby Sketches Reveals They Almost Looked VERY Different

Posted on 18/12/2023 by Boris Clair

It’s the dream, isn’t it? Unearth something old from the attic, blow the dust off, hand it to a valuer, and realise you’ve been hoarding a secret fortune this entire time.

Well, that’s more or less what happened to Antiques Roadshow guest Lucy.

In a Childhood Special episode of the show, hosted at Belmont House, the woman made an appearance with original sketches of the Teletubbies. They’d been drawn by Jonathan Hills, her late husband ― he was a designer and illustrator who died in 2020, aged 66.

The drawings were completed before the TV show’s initial airing in 1997, meaning they represented a vision of the kid’s telly legends most of us had never seen before.

Antique expert Mark Hill evaluated the collection, saying “We’re looking here at a selection of drawings of what look like the Teletubbies, but there’s a sort of slight difference in some of them. They’re original drawings – how on Earth did you come to get these?”.

“My husband was asked to develop some characters for a programme they were making, which was directed at children that were at home watching TV without an adult,” Lucy answered.

“Jonathan sadly died two years ago. And this is his legacy,” she added.

The initial sketches look very different to the Teletubbies we all know

The early drawings revealed creatures that more closely resembled bears and mice.

In fact, the show was almost called something completely different ― Lucy shared that the TV touchstone almost went by Teleteddies (that’d explain the bear-like design, right?).

Mark Hill commented on the “creepy” appearance of a sketch of the iconic baby’s face in the sun, but Lucy said children liked it because they could see themselves in it.

How much is it worth, then?

“At some point, you want what made you feel warm and happy and cosy as a child. And I think when that age group matures, I think they’re going to want to buy things like this,” Mark Hill began his evaluation.

“They’re going to want to own these and display them. When it comes to value, we have to ask what they might pay. What would you pay for a Teletubbies original drawing? £500? I think so. £1,000? Highly possible,” he revealed.

Lucy’s collection contains 80 original drawings, meaning she could bank £80,000 from the entire set.

″[Jonathan Hills, her ex-husband] would be so thrilled,” she said. “It’s great.”

Stranger Things Creators Debunk Major Theory About Show’s Ending

Posted on 18/12/2023 by Boris Clair

The Duffer Brothers have put an end to a popular fan theory that the events in Stranger Things are not *actually* happening.

The runaway hit show, which has been a flagship series on Netflix since its inception in 2016, will draw to a close with a fifth season, speculated to drop in late 2025 or early 2026.

Created by brothers Matt and Ross Duffer, Stranger Things has gripped fans since its debut, and made huge stars of its principally younger cast, including the likes of Millie Bobby Brown, Sadie Sink and Finn Wolfhard.

Though the premiere date for the final instalment has yet to be revealed, with filming having been delayed significantly by the SAG-AFTRA strike of this year, one thing that has been confirmed is that the fantastical events that occur throughout the show are most definitely real.

As revealed to Metro at the premiere of the West End spin-off of the TV show, Matt and Ross Duffer clarified that the fan theory that most of the action in the series is happening in one long game of Dungeons & Dragons was incorrect.

The theory has been in circulation for a good long while, but picked up steam again last summer around the end of season four of the show.

Fans theorise that the show’s main characters – Will Byers, Mike Wheeler, Lucas Sinclair and Dustin Henderson – are in fact playing the same game of Dungeons & Dragons that they were playing in Mike’s basement at the beginning of season one.

Therefore, events like Eleven coming onto the scene and Vecna’s mass destruction never actually occurred.

The young friends playing a D&D campaign in the first ever episode

Dungeons & Dragons is certainly a big motif in Stranger Things – from the friends using the game as a metaphor to understand what’s happening to their small town in season one, to the many monsters that appear throughout the show which are largely plucked from the popular tabletop game.

However, when confronted with this particular theory on the red carpet of Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Ross Duffer said “that would be the equivalent of, ‘that’s all a dream’… No, I assure you that is not how we’re going to end the show.”

Duffer continued “we’ve known where we’ve been going for a while. And we feel comfortable with it; hopefully, it satisfies everyone. We’ll see.”

Stranger Things season four finished streaming on 1 July 2022, and quickly became Netflix’s most popular English-language TV series ever, with a total of 781.04M hours viewed in 17 days. It has since been usurped by Wednesday.

In an interview with QG, Wolfhard revealed that the highly anticipated final season would most likely be released in early 2025, although this has not been confirmed by Netflix.

Jamie Johnson

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Coronation Street

Millie Gibson’s other work

1. Pam’s take on Christmas cards

2. John who?

3. Doris being ‘absolutely twatted’ before lunchtime on Christmas Eve

4. Nessa in the grotto

5. Gavin and Smithy’s sing-a-long

6. The mint Baileys scene

7. Mick’s turkey saga

8. The fight

9. Pam and Mick’s royal romp

10. Pam’s vegetarianism comes unstuck

11. The opening of the ‘presents’

12. The Nessa and Smithy sexual tension

13. The end song

The most popular Christmas songs in the UK

When and where is RuPaul’s DragCon UK 2024?

Which drag queens will be at the event?

What about Michelle Visage?

Will RuPaul be there?

What are the opening times?

How do I get tickets to DragCon UK?

Assisted suicide is not currently legal in Britain

Dame Esther Rantzen is looking forward to this Christmas

The initial sketches look very different to the Teletubbies we all know

How much is it worth, then?