Outnumbered to return for Christmas Day special with grown-up children and a grandchild

The children might now be adults but the parents are still Outnumbered in the sitcom set to return for a one-off special on Christmas Day.

Production company Hat Trick has confirmed the Brockman family will be back on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on December 25 with the original cast reprising their roles.

Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner will return as Pete and Sue, the put-upon and world-weary parents of three children. Also returning are Tyger Drew-Honey as the eldest son Jake, Daniel Roche as the middle child Ben, and Ramona Marquez as the daughter, Karen.

Outnumbered ran from 2007 to 2014 over five series. In episode one, the children were 11, eight, and five, but a grandchild is now in the mix with the trio in their twenties.

“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,” a press release for the show said.

Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin co-created, wrote and directed the original and will return after penning a Christmas special in 2016.

The show was well-known for letting the dialogue between the children run semi-improvised to create a sense of chaos and unpredictability.

“I can’t wait for the Brockmans to be back together again,” Hugh Dennis said.

“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 added that she “cannot wait” to be reunited with her onscreen children.

“Working on this wonderful BBC comedy doesn’t feel like work and is one of the greatest joys for us all,” she said.