Outnumbered cast shares behind-the-scenes secrets ahead of festive return – burning clothes to filming in someone’s home
THE cast of beloved sitcom Outnumbered have opened up about behind-the-scenes secrets - ahead of the show's festive return.
Outnumbered originally aired on BBC One from 2007 to 2014.
On Boxing Day, viewers will be reacquainted with the show's Brockman family in a festive episode.
This reunion sees the clan - now including one grandchild - attempt to celebrate a traditional family Christmas.
Ahead of the special, the core cast members reflected on behind-the-scenes memories from their time filming.
Hugh Dennis - who played dad Pete - revealed why the actors didn't take mementos from set.
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He shared: "We couldn't really take anything from the set as it was filmed in an actual house, it was someone else's house so we couldn't really steal some of their things."
Meanwhile, the conversation turned to their characters' clothing throughout the show.
Ramona Marquez, who played daughter Karen, shared how she was allowed to keep some of the clothes.
She later passed them on to younger relatives.
Hugh had a particular reaction to one of Pete's fashion choices, as he recalled: "I remember Pete having a pair of cargo shorts that I took home and burned."
On-screen wife - and real life partner - Claire Skinner remarked: "I wondered if the cargo pants would be back in this episode?"
To which Hugh replied: "I can't look at cargo pants in quite the same way.
"It was a great relief to discover Pete won't be wearing them in this special."
Claire revealed most of the clothes worn by her character Sue had been her own.
As for the show itself, Outnumbered starred Hugh and Claire as middle-class parents Pete and Sue.
The pair were later confirmed to be in a real-life relationship, following the BBC show's ending.
Completing the "family" are Tyger Drew-Honey, Daniel Roche and aforementioned Ramona Marquez as children Jake, Ben and Karen.
In the upcoming special, Pete and Sue deliver unwelcome news to their now-adult offspring.
Outnumbered - cast of beloved BBC sitcom
Originally airing on BBC One from 2007 to 2014, Outnumbered followed the middle-class Brockman family living in Chiswick, West London.
Created by Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin, the sitcom returned for a one-off Christmas episode in 2016 - and again in 2024.
Here is a look at the cast of Outnumbered:
- Hugh Dennis - "Pete Brockman": Aside from starring as dad Pete, Hugh appeared in every episode of BBC panel show Mock the Week from 2005 to 2022. Since 2014, he's played the role of Toby in another BBC comedy, Not Going Out. His relationship with on-screen wife, Claire Skinner, was confirmed in 2018.
- Claire Skinner - "Sue Brockman": Since her time in Outnumbered, Claire has since appeared in the likes of Midsomer Murders, Scream Street and Ted Lasso. She has starred as Chief Superintendent Mary Ormond in ITV crime drama McDonald and Dodds since its third series.
- Tyer Drew-Honey - "Jake Brockman": After playing eldest child Jake, actor Tyger went on to star in BBC Three sitcom Cuckoo - starring opposite the likes of Greg Davies, Andy Samberg and Taylor Lautner. He's also appeared in episodes of Death in Paradise, Citizen Khan and Grantchester - as well as an animated reunion with Claire Skinner in Scream Street.
- Daniel Roche - "Ben Brockman": During his time in Outnumbered, Daniel also played the title role in 2010 BBC sitcom Just William. He enrolled at King's College, London in 2018.
- Ramona Marquez - "Karen Brockman": While still starring in Outnumbered, Ramona landed film roles in The King's Speech, Arthur Christmas, Enid and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
But in true sitcom fashion, the likes of neighbours, hyenas and bus replacement services create obstacles along the way.
A lot has changed in eight years - the family has expanded although Pete and Sue have downsized to a smaller home.
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The Brockmans were last on screen back in 2016, for an earlier Christmas episode.
The Outnumbered Christmas Special airs on Boxing Day at 9.40pm on BBC One and iPlayer.