THE BBC has confirmed a beloved comedy is returning with the original cast EIGHT years after its last episode.
BBC Director of Comedy Jon Petrie spoke at the BBC Comedy Festival in Glasgow today and surprised onlookers by announcing six new and returning shows.
One of these is hit sitcom Outnumbered, which last aired at Christmas 2016.
The show followed the Brockman family, with Hugh Dennis as the father, Claire Skinner as the mother and their three children played by Tyger Drew-Honey, Daniel Roche and Ramona Marquez.
All of the cast members are reuniting for a Christmas Special, eight years after they were last seen on screen together.
The ‘children’ celebrated by posing for a new photos together, which Ramona shared on her Instagram.
Alongside it she wrote: “WE ARE SO BACK !!!! OUTNUMBERED CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 2024 SEE YOU SOON.”
The special episode will follow the chaos in the downsized home of Pete and Sue Brockman, as they grapple with the challenges of parenting kids who are now adults, with their own lives to lead.
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.
Hugh, 62, said of the show’s return: “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 added: “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.”
Jon Petrie 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.”
During his time at the festival, Jon also announced that The Power of Parker and Mammoth have both been greenlit for second series.
Lee Mack’s Not Going Out, the longest running British sitcom on air, will also be back for a 14th series.
And two new comedies are also in the works – Smoggie Queens, starring Mark Benton and set in Teeside, and Funboys, set and filmed in Northern Ireland.
