Fans of iconic BBC series ‘gutted’ about Christmas special shake-up after 8-year break-Josie Copson-Entertainment – Metro

Outnumbered will be back on our screens soon (Picture: BBC/ Hat Trick/ Phil Fisk)

The news that Outnumbered was returning to the BBC with a Christmas special delighted fans, but a major change could leave some disappointed.

The comedy previously announced plans to downsize and while some assumed it could be regarding the amount of characters, it could actually be the Brockman family’s home that will shrink.

The centre of the action was once a terraced house in Wandsworth, South West London, but filming has reportedly not recommenced at the location yet.

‘Locals are pretty gutted by the realisation as they always liked the association of the rather middle-class family being in their neighbourhood,’ a TV insider claimed to The Sun.

‘It didn’t harm house prices either — the house in question is estimated to be worth around £1.7million.’

Since it was officially confirmed last month that on top of a Gavin and Stacey special, the BBC were giving viewers a second gift – the return of Outnumbered, some details have been teased.

The house used on Outnumbered could change (Credits: BBC/Hat Trick)

The house is semi-detached (Picture: PrimeLocation)

The home was central to the action (Picture: BBC)

Hugh Dennis will be back as dad Pete and will be joined by 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, once again.

The revival 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.’

Claire Skinner and Hugh Dennis will return to the show (Picture: BBC/Hat Trick)

It will be extra special for the cast as for the first time, Hugh and Claire are in a relationship off-screen as well as on-screen. In 2018 it was confirmed that they began dating a year earlier after their splits from their respective partners.

Speaking ahead of the exciting announcement that Outnumbered was returning, Hugh said: ‘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.’

He gave a further insight into what we could expect from the 40-minute episode while appearing on Good Morning Britain.

The Outnumbered scenes were semi-improvised (Credits: BBC/Hattrick)

‘It’s going to be strange isn’t it because I don’t think we live together anymore as a family,’ he shared.

‘There’s lots of different stuff to reflect and one of the great things about the show was to reflect life as it actually was.’

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.’

The children are all grown-up! (Picture: Dan Loveday/Comic Relief)

Outnumbered first aired for five series from 2007 until 2014.

A final Christmas special then aired on Boxing Day 2016, which attracted an average of seven million viewers and has had fans begging for more ever since.

All scenes featuring the kids were semi-improvised. While the adult cast members were given scripts, the youngsters were given last-minute instructions by the writers instead, allowing hilarity to ensue thanks to the unpredictability of what they might say.

Metro.co.uk has contacted BBC for comment.

Outnumbered is returning to the BBC later this year.

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