Outnumbered followers model Christmas particular ‘disappointing’ and ‘compelled’ whereas some viewers barely even recognise one character and fear for his well being

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Outnumbered fans slammed the BBC Christmas special, branding it disappointing and forced after it aired on Thursday.

The show ran from 2007 to 2014 before a surprise Christmas episode in 2019.

And, after a five-year hiatus the Brockmans reunited once more for another festive special but this time under sadder circumstances. 

In the latest instalment, Dad Pete, played by Hugh Dennis, revealed to his children Jake, Ben and Karen, played by Tyger Drew-Honey, Daniel Roche and Ramona Marquez, that he was battling prostate cancer.

But Pete and Sue (Claire Skinner) were also battling a friend who had overstayed her welcome – by nine weeks, irritating neighbours and an attempt to make a Christmas dinner in November. 

The chaotic Brockman action was set against the backdrop of Jake’s new family including a partner and little girl, Ben’s attempts to explore the world and Karen being fired from her third job after a messy break-up with her girlfriend. 

Outnumbered fans slammed the BBC Christmas special, branding it disappointing and forced after it aired on Thursday

After a five-year hiatus the Brockmans reunited once more for another festive special but this time under sadder circumstances

In the latest instalment, Dad Pete, played by Hugh Dennis, revealed to his children Jake, Ben and Karen that he was battling prostate cancer

And while the much-loved sitcom re-united the cast after five years apart, fans were less than impressed by the episode. 

Viewers took to social media to brand the Christmas special disappointing and messy with some fans even wishing it had never been made at all.

Taking to X, they wrote: ‘That Outnumbered special absolutely did not need to be made. Felt very forced and just not funny at all’.

Another said: ‘Bit of a disappointment tbh. #outnumbered’ while a third wrote: the outnumbered christmas special sucked bawls omg’

One fan said disappointedly: ‘that was so bad i was waiting for something to happen and it never did’

Others commented: ‘This feels forced. And unfunny’; ‘I enjoyed that more than most, but the ending was super rushed’; ‘Is dead, absolutely rubbish, no more of this EVER#Outnumbered’

One person simply wrote: ‘IS THAT IT?????’

But some were more complimentary and said the latest episode made them laugh while others said they wanted more.

But Pete and Sue were also battling a friend who had overstayed her welcome – by nine weeks, irritating neighbours and an attempt to make a Christmas dinner in November

And while the much-loved sitcom re-united the cast after five years apart, fans were less than impressed by the episode

Some members of the audience were so taken aback by Tyger Dre-Honey’s appearance that they barely recognised him (pictured)

And others questioned why Pete had a cancer storyline at all

Fans posted: ‘outnumbered made me laugh so much but it feels like there needs to be MORE EPISODES!!!’ and ‘i want more outnumbered now’.

Others said: ‘Outnumbered was pretty good’ and one wrote: ‘Oh I loved the #Outnumbered Christmas special! So good to see the whole family and new faces back for one episode!’

One issue fans had with the script was the decision to give Pete cancer.

The patriarch’s health scare forms a major subject of the show with the worried father desperately tryign to find a way to tell his children the news while remain positive.

But fans found the whole issue too upsetting and many were outraged and said it ruined the show and some fans even found the watching the festive special too upsetting. 

They shared their thoughts on X and asked: ‘right now WHAT was the point in giving pete cancer please????’

Another viewer said: ‘Well that wasn’t a barrel of laughs :/ #Outnumbered’

One commented: ‘this outnumbered special is a hard watch’.

And while the much-loved sitcom re-united the cast after five years apart, fans were less than impressed by the episode and took to X to share their thoughts

One cancer survivor said they found the episode particularly upsetting, writing: ‘As someone recently diagnosed with cancer of the blood and bone marrow ,I was looking for a bit of escapism in an old comedy favourite. Instead I get this depressing old b******s’.

Many viewers were worried about the health of one of the actors.

Fans of the hit BBC sitcom took to social media to express surprise, shock and worry for Tyger Drew-Honey who plays Jake and rose to fame at just ten years old playing the outspoken eldest son of the Pete and Sue. 

Some members of the audience were so taken aback by the actor’s appearance that they barely recognised him.

Taking to social media they commented: ‘Can someone check in on Tyger Drew Honey (Jake)?? That’s not make-up. He’s worryingly thin, sunken eyes, drained face, looks like he could be having trouble away from the camera and the stage.’

One wrote: ‘Is Jake meant to be looking like a zombie?’ and other agreed, posting: ‘Is Jake OK? He looks like Nicholas Hoult in Warm Bodies after he became a zombie!’

Although many fans were disappointed by the health scare aspect of the episode, for Hugh, it was an important one after his own cancer scare (pictured in May 2024)

Although many fans were disappointed by the health scare aspect of the episode, for Hugh, it was an important one after his own cancer scare. 

Earlier this month the actor discussed why it was important to have representations of cancer on screen and shared his personal health battle.

Reflecting on the storyline he said: ‘Every family pretty much has had experience of that kind of stuff.

‘And we’ve had, not within my nuclear family, but my dad had cancer at 66 and survived until he was 88 having been through that. It has touched people.

‘It’s touched everyone, really. And I’m pleased to have done it actually. Partially because I got nabbed once by Prostate Cancer UK, and I’m now one of the faces of “go and get your prostate cancer self-check.”

‘As well as it being a story which resonates, I’m sort of delighted if it means that anybody goes and gets a check. That’s a sort of little victory, isn’t it?

‘Because everybody has been touched by cancer in some way. So essentially, no research needed because it’s such a common thing.’