The Brockman family returned to our screens last night
The Outnumbered Christmas special might have divided viewers, but there’s one detail about the cast that everyone can agree on and it’s causing people to lose their minds.
The beloved BBC comedy originally aired in 2007 until 2014, followed by a 2016 Christmas special.
However, the three unruly children Jake, Ben and Karen (played by Tyger Drew-Honey, Daniel Roche and Ramona Marquez respectively) and their on-screen parents Pete and Sue (Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner) returned this festive season as fans got to revisit the Brockman family once again.
The special marked the first time we saw the kids as grown ups, which included their extended family and a more serious storyline.
Outnumbered Christmas special trailer
Credit: BBC
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Some fans of the show weren’t best pleased with the straight-faced approach, to the point where its creators came out to address the comments.
In the episode, which aired on Boxing Day (26 December), dad Pete finds out he has prostate cancer and doesn’t know how to tell his children.
It’s a serious topic that many families sadly go through, but viewers weren’t sure if a Christmas special was the right time to address it.
Guy Jenkin and Andy Hamilton spoke about the decision, as the former pointed out: “People often remember Outnumbered for the delightful children, but it always dealt with quite serious things: dementia, death, homophobia.”
Speaking about the ‘stigma’ around cancer, they wanted to show that the family dealt with it through ‘warmth, love and especially humour’, noting that it’s a ‘very British way’ to deal with serious events.
Two members of the Outnumbered cast are closer than before (BBC)
However, there was still a large number of fans that enjoyed seeing the return of the Brockmans, though there has been a change among the cast since the 2016 Christmas special that has made the viewing experience that much better.
Following the wrap party for that episode, Dennis and Skinner, the parents on the show, got together and now reportedly live together.
Fans took to social media to share their thrill at the news, as one wrote: “How have I just found out that Hugh Dennis and Claire skinner a real life couple”
Another added: “Oh but my heart at seeing hugh dennis and claire skinner playing pete and sue and knowing they’re actually together irl!!!!!!! so sweet!!!!!!!!!”
The actors are now a couple in real-life, which has left fans gushing (BBC)
A third commented: “Outnumbered is just as fun as ever. Gentle humour. The only slightly odd aspect is remembering that Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner have been an actual couple for the last six years.”
A different user weighed in: “Not Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner dating in real life tooo,” as many others also couldn’t believe the news.
The pair were both married to other people during the show’s original run, but it looks like the stars aligned in 2016, with both becoming newly single.Featured Image Credit: BBC/Ian Gavan/Getty Images
Topics: BBC, Christmas, Parenting, Cancer, Social Media
Joshua Nair
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Published 11:11 27 Dec 2024 GMT
Gavin and Stacey viewers have one common question about missing character in major finale scene
Did you notice this strange omission?
Gavin and Stacey fans are all asking the same question after noticing a major character was missing from key moments in the finale.
This Christmas Day saw one of Britain’s most beloved comedies air its finale episode, truly the end of an era.
And we’re still not over it.
Gavin and Stacey The Finale
Credit: BBC
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Pulling in a massive 12.3 million viewers, Gavin and Stacey: The Finale finally (finally) saw the resolution of the show’s real love story.
We’re, of course, talking about the moment Smithy and Nessa were finally able to fully admit their feelings to each other after 17 years of will they/won’t they moments.
The big emotional pay off came after Ruth Jones and James Corden spent over an hour putting fans through the through the wringer one last time, as Smithy nearly married mis-matched fiancee Sonia, while Nessa travelled to Southampton in order to ‘work on the ships’ once again.
However, it was all worth it to see the pair finally get married in-front of their family friends before taking a group photo together.
However, viewers were left a little confused after noticing that major character was missing in the finale scene.
Missing someone? (BBC)
Where the hell was Neil the baby?
Played by Oscar Hartland, Neil the baby was a huge part in Smithy and Nessa’s story, with the teenager amongst the congregation to stand up in agreement that his dad shouldn’t marry Sonia. However, Neil was surprisingly absent from the chaotic drive to find Nessa in Southampton and the final photo, a move which appeared strange given the fact that events involved both of his parents.
Viewers watching along at home were also baffled by the decision and headed to social media to share their confusion.
“Why was Neil ‘the baby’ left at his dad’s failed wedding with nobody he knows whilst all the others went to off to Southampton,” one user commented.
“Really feel for Neil the Baby. Smashes his ‘Blackbird’ performance but isn’t invited on the bus to see his mum and dad finally get together, a second person penned. “Socialising at a wedding is hard enough for a 16 year old.”
Neil the not so baby also wowed viewers with a performance of ‘Blackbird’ by The Beatles (BBC)
“Only issue I have with the whole episode is that Neil the Baby was left behind! It’s his mum & dad,” a third viewer commented, while a fourth added: “poor Neil the Baby not involved in the final pic, and how he didn’t make the trip on Dave’s coaches hahahah.”
Eagle-eyed viewers did notice that Neil the baby was present to watch his mum and dad exchange vows, with the final photo likely a final nod to the characters we’ve all grown to love over the years.Featured Image Credit: (BBC)
Topics: BBC, Gavin And Stacey, TV, Social Media
Brenna Cooper
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Published 10:34 11 Dec 2024 GMT
Outnumbered actor shares major news about Christmas special that could change whole dynamic of show
Outnumbered star Tyger-Drew Honey has dropped a spoiler ahead of the reunion
The Brockman family are finally back after eight years off the air.
BBC series Outnumbered follows the chaotic lives of mum Sue (Claire Skinner), a part-time personal assistant, and dad Pete (Hugh Dennis), a history teacher.
Their three eccentric kids – Jake (Tyger Drew-Honey), the eldest, Ben (Daniel Roche), the middle child and Karen (Ramona Marquez), the youngest – seriously put the parents through their paces from 2007 to 2014, with a one-off Boxing Day special in 2016.
Outnumbered: Promo Trailer
Credit: BBC
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Written, directed and produced by Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin, Outnumbered was praised for providing a realistic portrayal of what family life looked like in West London.
It also won a number of awards along the way, including the British Comedy Award for the Best Sitcom in 2009.
However, fans are finally getting what they wished for this Christmas in the form of a reunion and Honey has dropped a big spoiler.
The award-winning show is returning to our screens very soon (BBC)
The actor has revealed that there will be a new addition to the family, which means that Pete and Sue will be grandparents.
“Jake absolutely adores his child and is very much in love with the mother of his child but he has been having struggles with fatherhood as any parents of small children can relate,” he told the BBC.
“Especially the lack of sleep and his daughter’s tendency to impersonate animals.
“If I had to compare her personality to either Karen or Ben when they were younger, I’d say she’s got more of a Ben personality.
“She’s got some of the genes that Ben and I got from Dad.”
The family are back together (BBC)
The youngest on-screen child, Marquez, added: “For me it’s like being back with really good friends again who you’ve known for ages and just hanging out.
“It feels very natural being back together and I look forward to seeing these guys.”
While on-screen mum, Claire, said: “I was saying this morning it’s really nice relating to Tyger, Ramona and Daniel as adults, and getting to know the adult versions of them, it’s been really really nice.
“I was also thinking that if Claire and I were your actual parents I’d be thinking we’ve done a really good job,” her real-life husband/co-star, Dennis, added.
“Filming this special really made me appreciate the opportunity that Outnumbered gave us and how inextricably connected it is with our lives and I’m very grateful,” middle child Roche admitted.
Outnumbered is set to air on BBC One at 9:40pm on 26 December, 2024.Featured Image Credit: BBC
Topics: BBC, Christmas, TV, Celebrity
Anish Vij
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Published 13:04 5 Feb 2024 GMT
Brits warned about today’s huge change which will affect how you watch your favourite shows
Things have changed forever for so many of our favourite things to watch
Little is as annoying as being fully immersed in a film, getting to a climactic scene, and bam – it’s time for adverts and you’re brought back to reality.
Before the days of streaming it was a standard experience on terrestrial or digital TV, with uninterrupted feature length films being something reserved mainly for the BBC or the cinema.
I mean, who doesn’t remember their parents using these moments to go and make you a cup of tea – so we’d be lying if we said they didn’t come without any benefits.
The Boys season 4 trailer
Credit: Amazon Prime
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Streaming has, of course, revolutionised how we consume film and TV. We can watch what we want and when we want pretty much anywhere we fancy.
At the top of the pile is Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+.
Add in Apple TV+, BritBox, DAZN, and NOW, and you truly are overwhelmed wit choice.
But the viewing experience for some of our favourite on-demand shows has changed of as today (5 February) – and for good.
Fans of hit shows such as Reacher, The Rings of Power, The Boys, and Clarkson’s Farm will have to accept changes for the rest of their subscriptions.
Prime Video
They can, alternatively, pay more to stay the same.
We are, of course, talking about Amazon Prime Video introducing adverts across the United Kingdom for the first time ever.
Amazon has said the introduction of ads, and an extra revenue stream, means it can ‘continue investing in compelling content and keep increasing that investment over a long period of time’.
What may annoy Prime Video customers the most is that the adverts will feature during the shows and films they’re sitting down to watch.
Amazon’s customer service site explains: “Content offered by Prime includes limited advertisements that run before and during playback.”
Prime Video
That is confirmation that your viewing experience will be disrupted in some form, although it remains to be seen at this stage how often the ad breaks will be in comparison to the length of the show or film.
Those who watch the thousands of the free shows and films on Amazon FreeVee will be impacted by the change, as well as those watching live sport, such as the Barclays Premier League.
But if you’ve sat down for the night having bought or rented a product via Prime Video, fear not, you’re excluded given the premium viewing experience you’ve opted for.
You can, of course, choose to get rid of the adverts if you truly cannot stomach watching Jeremy Clarkson galavant around his farm uninterrupted on the soon to be released third series.
Prime Video
But it’ll cost you an extra £2.99 a month, which is almost £36 a year more than your current subscription.
To do this through the website, go to ‘Account & Settings’, then select ‘Your Account’.
Here you’ll find ‘Go Ad Free’ and then click ‘Start Subscription’.
There could still be trailers for Prime Video shows and films, as there was before ads were brought in, but they can be skipped as usual.Featured Image Credit: Prime Video
Topics: Amazon, Amazon Prime, TV and Film, Money, UK News
Tom Earnshaw
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Updated 14:45 3 Jan 2024 GMTPublished 14:28 3 Jan 2024 GMT
Sky urged to make major change to let more viewers watch Luke Littler final tonight
MP Jamie Stone is leading the charge and suggested that Sky should make the darts final more accessible for viewers.
Every man and his dog is talking about Luke Littler – including some members of Parliament apparently.
The entire nation is rooting for the 16-year-old prodigy ‘Luke The Nuke’ who is hoping to win the PDC World Darts Championship final which takes place at Alexandra Palace tonight (January 3).
Luke Littler asks crowd if he should go for 170 checkout
Credit: X/@OfficialPDC
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He is the youngest-ever player to get this far in the high stakes tournament and only Luke Humphries, aka ‘Cool Hand Luke’, stands in his way – but whatever happens, its set to be an incredible showdown.
Littler’s opponent is 12 years his senior and the reigning World Grand Prix champion – yet people have every faith that the underdog will clinch it.
A load of people are also putting big money on the line in the bookies to back him, so you can bet your bottom dollar that the majority of Brits will be tuning into the tense final which kicks off at 8pm tonight.
But unfortunately, only Sky subscribers will have the luxury of watching Littler take on Humphries in the comfort of their own homes with their feet up, as the action will be broadcast exclusively by the telecommunications company.
Tom Dulat/Getty Images
Viewers will only able to watch the final live on either Sky Sports Main Event or Sky Sports Darts, or by live streaming it via the SkyGo app on supported devices.
Ahead of the epic clash, which will see one of the darts players take home a £500,000 cash prize, the MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Jamie Stone has called on Sky to make the PDC event free to watch.
The Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Culture, Media and Sport shared a tweet suggesting the broadcaster should link up with the BBC or ITV to allow those who want to tune in to do so.
Stone said: “The country is gripped by darts fever and the spectacle of 16 yr old Luke Littler becoming a world champion.
“The final must be free to air on TV so that millions of Brits don’t lose out on this historic moment.
“Sky Sports should share the rights with the likes of BBC or ITV.”
And social media users were left divided by the MP’s proposal, with some suggesting he should focus on politics.
LEON NEAL/AFP via Getty Images
One said: “THIS is the most pressing thing to you given the many crises that people and the country face?”
Another wrote: “Lots of sour people on the responses, Jamie has a valid point. “All these sports such as football, rugby, tennis, DARTS etc are being taken away from the working class who made the sports so great! Many people can’t afford a ‘day pass’, monthly subscription or a visit to a pub!!”
A third added: “Do you understand how sport sponsorship works?”
While a fourth simply replied: “Yes!!”
Stone had previously chimed in on Littler’s success after he came out on top against Rob Cross in the semi-final yesterday.
He said of the teen’s triumph: “Luke Littler has stolen the country’s heart and had everyone talking about darts. Ministers should stop showing snobbery towards a sport which has grabbed the country’s attention.”
In the words of Tom Bradby… ‘What on earth is going on in the House of Commons?’