Gavin & Stacey star Larry Lamb has insisted that it is a case of "when, not if" the show makes further new episodes.

Following a break of 10 years, the comedy returned for a one-off Christmas special last year which was seen by a mammoth 18.5 million viewers.

Despite a clamour for more episodes, writer and star Ruth Jones (Nessa) recently insisted that there are "no plans" to bring the show back again.

"I think it would be pretty cruel to leave us on that cliffhanger," Lamb, who plays patriarch Mick Shipman, told OK! magazine. "After the response it got at Christmas, you can more or less be certain that, sooner or later, there will be more.

"I'm sure the BBC can persuade Ruth and James (Corden) to write more, so it's a question of when, not if.

"The problem is, logistically, it's a bloody nightmare as so many people involved with it have very active careers. It's virtually impossible for there to be a whole series, but I imagine there will be another special.

"I've always thought a logical thing to do would be a Gavin & Stacey movie, but that's just my idea."

Lamb's comments come after his onscreen wife Alison Steadman said that she would jump at the chance to film new episodes.