First look at Outnumbered Christmas special as original cast reunite
It will air on Boxing Day
Last updated 16th Dec 2024
As well as the Gavin and Stacey cast reuniting for a brand new Christmas special, BBC bosses also announced earlier this year that another iconic show would be making a comeback this Christmas... In the form of Outnumbered!
That's right, the award-winning comedy, which last aired in 2016, will return for a brand new 40-minute special on Boxing Day, featuring the much-loved original cast!
What is the plot?
The 2024 Christmas special will see mum and dad (Sue and Pete Brockman) gather the family in their downsized home as they welcome back their now grown-up children, who have been off living their own lives.
The BBC say of the special: 'In a moment of adversity, Sue and Pete gather all their offspring (including one grandchild) to try and celebrate a traditional family Christmas. But fate, neighbours, hyenas and bus replacement services get in their way.'
Jimmy Mulville, Executive Producer, Hat Trick Productions, says of the show's return: “Who doesn’t want to know what happened to the Brockmans, our favourite television family, since we last saw them? Well we can find out when Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkins’ ground-breaking comedy returns in a one-off special this Christmas. It’s unmissable!”
A first look photo was released at the end of November, showing Hugh Dennis, Claire Skinner, Tyger Drew-Honey, Daniel Roche and Ramona Marquez looking all grown-up.
Is there a trailer?
A short teaser for the special was released on Sunday 15th December, showing snippets from past years and the 2024 episode.
Who is in the cast?
Fans will be pleased to know the original cast are all returning!
Hugh Dennis will reprise his role as dad Pete, Claire Skinner as mum Sue, Tyger Drew-Honey as eldest son Jake, Daniel Roche as the middle child Ben, and Ramona Marquez as the daughter, Karen.
Hugh Dennis says: “I can’t wait for the Brockmans to be back together again. Pete and Sue have downsized, the children are no longer children, but I’m sure family life will prove to be just as chaotic as ever.”
Claire Skinner says: “I’m really looking forward to being reunited with my TV family. Working on this wonderful BBC comedy doesn’t feel like work and is one of the greatest joys for us all.”
When is it on TV?
It will air on Boxing Day at 9.15pm.
What channel is it on?
Outnumbered will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Look at the first look photos below:
Outnumbered Christmas special 2024
Outnumbered Christmas special 2024
Outnumbered Christmas special 2024
Outnumbered Christmas special 2024
Outnumbered Christmas special 2024
Outnumbered Christmas special 2024
Outnumbered Christmas special 2024
Outnumbered Christmas special 2024
Outnumbered Christmas special 2024
Outnumbered Christmas special 2024
When was Outnumbered last on TV?
The award-winning comedy first hit our screens back in 2007, running for five successful series until 2014. The show had four special episodes throughout the years, with the last coming at Christmas 2016.
Jon Petrie, Director of BBC Comedy, said: “Outnumbered is one of the crown jewels of British sitcoms. We're so grateful to Guy, Andy, Hattrick, and the cast for dusting it off and putting it back on display.”
Will there be a new series of Outnumbered?
Although there's no official confirmation of any future series, writer Guy Jenkin has hinted the idea during an interview with Radio Times magazine. He said: "We might get another idea. But we wanted to make this a really special event. Having waited eight years, hopefully everybody will be very curious to see where this family they grew up with ended up."
"You can hold this against us when we come back next year."
Check out all of the Christmas TV specials:
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Richard Osman's Festive House of Games
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Bargain Hunt Christmas Special
The Bargain Hunt team will take part in a special festive episode this year.
Air date: 16th December (12.15pm)
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The Young Offenders Christmas special
Conor and Jock set off on a chaotic adventure to give Mairead, who has been ill in hospital, the white Christmas she has always dreamed of.
Air date: 16th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC Three and BBC iPlayer
Stacey Solomon’s Crafty Christmas
Stacey Solomon is back this year with a little help from her family! Stacey shows us crafty ways to create beautiful decorations and gifts that are sure to spread some home-made cheer this Christmas time.
Air date: 18th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC
The Good Ship Murder Christmas Special
As well as being renewed for two more series, Channel 5 bosses have confirmed that drama series The Good Ship Murder will have a Christmas special this year. Catherine Tyldesley and Shayne Ward will reprise their roles as First Officer Kate Woods and Jack Grayling.
Air date: 18th December (9pm)
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The Great British Sewing Bee: Celebrity Christmas Special 2024
Ian "H" Watkins, EastEnder Kellie Bright, comedian Fatiha El-Ghorri and TV personality Charlotte Crosby put their sewing skills to the test in this year's Christmas special.
Air date: 19th December (9pm)
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For the Love of Dogs Christmas Special
Ahead of the new series in 2025, Alison Hammond returns to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home for a heartwarming Christmas special this year.
Air date: 19th December (8.30pm)
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Casualty Christmas special
Ahead of the new series starting later in December, the cast of Casualty have filmed an emotional Christmas episode which is called All I Want for Christmas.
Air date: 21st December (9.15pm)
Channel: BBC One
Antiques Roadshow at Christmas
The Antiques Roadshow marks the festive season with a look back at some of the year's highlights and updates about items that have appeared on the series.
Air date: 22nd December (7.30pm)
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Would I Lie to You? at Christmas
Laura Smyth, David Mitchell, Jimmy Carr, Rob Brydon, Lee Mack, Lenny Rush and Rustie Lee take part in the 2024 Would I Lie to You? Christmas special.
Air date: 23rd December (7pm)
Channel: BBC One
Royal Carols : Together At Christmas
Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales, alongside other members of the Royal Family, attend a carol service at Westminster Abbey.
Air date: 24th December (7.30pm)
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The Great Christmas Bake Off
Just like past years, Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood are back in the Bake Off tent for this year's Christmas special, with hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding. This year, soap stars Dean Gaffney, Sheree Murphy, Shobna Gulati MBE, Natalie Cassidy and Chris Bisson will take part.
Air date: 24th December (8pm)
Channel: Channel 4
Gogglebox - Best of 2024
Channel 4 are showing a round-up of the best moments from Gogglebox 2024, featuring cast members such as Giles and Mary, The Malones, and Ellie and Izzy.
Air date: 24th December (9.15pm)
Channel: Channel 4
The Weakest Link Christmas Special
Romesh Ranganathan hosts as a number of celebs try to win money for charity on The Weakest Link's Christmas special.
Air date: 25th December (3.15pm)
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Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special
Comedian Josh Widdicombe, RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Tayce, presenter Vogue Williams, Gladiator Nitro, actress Tamzin Outhwaite and motor racing driver Billy Monger will take part in the 2024 Christmas special.
Air date: 25th December (3.55pm)
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Doctor Who: Joy to the World
Following on from last year's Christmas special, Ncuti Gatwa returns as Doctor Who, with actress Nicola Coughlan joining the cast as Joy.
Air date: 25th December (5.10pm)
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The Piano: Christmas Special
Claudia Winkleman, Mika and Lang Lang kickstart the festive season with an array of live music performances and treats inside Turbine Hall for The Piano Christmas special.
Air date: 25th December (5.10pm)
Channel: Channel 4
Call the Midwife
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Air date: (Part One) 25th December (7.55pm) and (Part Two) 26th December (8.15pm)
Channel: BBC One
Gavin and Stacey
Five years after THAT cliffhanger on the last Christmas special, the Gavin and Stacey gang are back for the final ever episode of the sitcom this year! Will we finally get answers about Smithy and Nessa?!
Air date: 25th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC
Mrs. Brown’s Boys Christmas
Despite the show's controversy over the years, Mrs. Brown's Boys has become somewhat of staple on Christmas Day! The show is back for a Christmas and New Year's special in 2024.
Air date: 25th December (11.05pm)
Channel: BBC One
Blankety Blank Christmas Special
Bradley Walsh is back with a Christmas special of Saturday night entertainment show Blankety Blank.
Air date: 26th December (7.35pm)
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Outnumbered
Gavin and Stacey isn't the only show getting a revival this Christmas, sitcom Outnumbered is also making a return to our screens, featuring all of the original cast!
Air date: 26th December (9.15pm)
Channel: BBC
The Masked Singer Christmas Special
Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders join Mo Gilligan, Jonathan Ross, and Davina McCall on The Masked Singer panel for the 2024 Christmas special. This year's characters include Star, Turkey Crown, Nutcracker, and Christmas Cracker.
Air date: 26th December (7.30pm)
Channel: ITV/STV
The 1% Club Christmas Special
Lee Mack hosts a festive special of the quiz with all the Christmas themed questions! 100 contestants hope to make the holiday season even more special by winning up to £100,000.
Air date: 26th December (9pm)
Channel: ITV/STV
The Repair Shop Christmas
The team are back for another Christmas special this year
Air date: 27th December (1.25pm)
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Beyond Paradise Christmas special
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Air date: 27th December (8.30pm)
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Wheel of Fortune Christmas Special
Ahead of the new series, Graham Norton will host a Christmas special episode of gameshow Wheel of Fortune.
Air date: 28th December (7pm)
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The Split Barcelona
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Air date: 29th and 30th December (9pm)
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Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Celebrity Special
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Air date: 29th December (8pm)
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Vera series 14
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Gladiators: Celebrity Special
Ahead of the new series in early 2025, there will be a celebrity special of Gladiators airing this Christmas! Rob Beckett, Joel Dommett, Ellie Taylor and Louise Minchin will take part.
Air date: 1st January (6pm)
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The Great New Year Bake Off
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Air date: 3rd January (7.40pm)
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The 2024 Outnumbered Christmas special will air on 26th December.
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