'BBC have won Christmas' declare TV fans after bringing back Outnumbered Gavin and Stacey and Wallace And Gromit for festive specials, with viewers joking it 'feels like 2007 again'

23/05/2024

TV fans have declared the BBC 'have won Christmas' after announcing the return of three beloved shows.

While the broadcaster's official Christmas Day lineup has yet to be revealed, in recent weeks they have confirmed there will be festive specials for shelved shows, Outnumbered, Gavin and Stacey, and Wallace And Gromit, as well as Doctor Who.

It serves as welcome boost for BBC viewers who have seen several of their favourite TV shows axed this year try and save money.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday after BBC named Outnumbered as the latest show to be revived at Christmas, TV fans couldn't help but feel nostalgic.

Outnumbered's last full series aired in 2014, Gavin And Stacey's came in 2010, and Wallace And Gromit's last special in 2008.

TV fans have declared the BBC 'have won Christmas' after announcing the return of three beloved shows including hit show Outnumbered (L-R Hugh Dennis as dad Pete, Daniel Roche as middle child Ben, Claire Skinner as mum Sue, Tyger Drew-Honey as eldest son Jake and Ramona Marquez as daughter, Karen)

It comes after Gavin And Stacey was also confirmed to be returning (L-R Ruth Jones as Nessa Jenkins; Joanna Page as Stacey Shipman, Mathew Horne as Gavin Shipman and James Corden as Smithy)

Fans penned: 'Christmas 2024 is going to be amazing'; 'CHRISTMAS IS GOING TO BE SO GOOD !! Call the midwife, Gavin and Stacey, outnumbered, Eastenders !!!'; 'Outnumbered AND Gavin & Stacey?! This is going to be the best Christmas EVER!';

'Doctor Who, Gavin & Stacey & Outnumbered for Christmas?! I can’t believe my eyes'; 'Doctor Who, Wallace And Gromit and now Outnumbered at Christmas'; 'New Wallace and Gromit, new Doctor Who, new Gavin and Stacey and now Outnumbered! The bbc is definitely winning Christmas tv this year.

'Gavin and Stacey Christmas special and now an outnumbered Christmas special bbc you are outdoing yourselves'; 'Gavin & Stacey, Outnumbered and Doctor Who on Christmas Day year.. I’m sorry I didn’t realise it was 2007

'The BBC1 Christmas line-up this year features the first Wallace and Gromit film in 16 years, the last ever Gavin & Stacey, new Outnumbered and Doctor Who episodes, and more unannounced. That's a bit legendary'.

Gavin And Stacey's creators James Corden and Ruth Jones shocked the sitcom's millions of viewers this month with the news they have written the final episode.

The pair reunited in secret to pen the special after recently denying another episode was in the works, nearly five years after the last episode aired in 2019.

Taking to Instagram, the pair shared a black and white photo of themselves holding up the script.

Alongside the post, they wrote: 'Some news... It's official! We have finished writing the last ever episode of Gavin and Stacey. See you on Christmas Day, BBC One. Love Ruth and James!'

Taking to X, formerly Twitter , on Thursday after BBC named Outnumbered as the latest show to be revived at Christmas , TV fans couldn't help but feel nostalgic

The critically acclaimed series follows the lives of the two titular characters Gavin from Essex and Stacey from South Wales, documenting key points in their long-distance relationship and events that bring the two families together.

Gavin And Stacey first aired in 2007 and ran for just 21 episodes, spanning three seasons and two Christmas specials. The show's popularity was stratospheric with 2019's Christmas special garnering a whopping 18.49million viewers.

At the climax of the episode, Nessa got down on one knee to propose to Smithy, played by Corden, but viewers did not get to hear his response.

In January 2022 it was revealed Wallace & Gromit were set to return to the screen more than a decade after their last special A Matter Of Loaf And Death aired.

The BBC confirmed a new spin-off is in the works and set for Christmas 2024.

The spin-off will come from the creative team at Aardman, who are also behind the popular children's TV series Shaun The Sheep.

The upcoming film will focus on Gromit's worry that Wallace has become too dependent on his inventions.

His worries are proven when Wallace invents a 'smart gnome' that develops a mind of its own.

Gavin And Stacey's creators James Corden and Ruth Jones shocked the sitcom's millions of viewers this month with the news they have written the final episode

In January 2022 it was revealed Wallace & Gromit were set to return to the screen more than a decade after their last special A Matter Of Loaf And Death aired

Doctor Who will see Ncuti Gatwa take on his second Christmas special as the Time Lord following his first full series airing this year

As events spiral out of control, it falls to Gromit to put aside his qualms and battle sinister forces - or Wallace may never be able to invent again.

Meanwhile, Doctor Who will see Ncuti Gatwa take on his second Christmas special as the Time Lord.

He made his first appearance briefly last year and after the release of his first full season this year will appear on screens again Christmas Day.

Born in Rwanda and raised in Scotland, Ncuti was inspired to become an actor watching David Tennant in the role, partly due to the Doctor’s loneliness.

Nicola Coughlan is set to star alongside Ncuti as a new companion in the 2024 Christmas special.

The Bridgerton actress, 37, will take take on the huge guest role with Ncuti, 31, but sidekick Millie Gibson and Varada Seethu will not be appearing.

Nicola, who is renowned for starring in Derry Girls, filmed the exciting Christmas Day episode in 2023, with a picture released of her on set in November, although details of her role were not revealed.

It has been confirmed that the Brockman's are back for a Christmas special with viewers set to discover what has happened to the family in the past decade (pictured 2014)

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Earlier in the day Outnumbered announced the beloved BBC drama will return with a special one-off episode this Christmas 10 years after the series ended.

The child stars of the show previously sent fans into a frenzy as they reunited nine years after the hit show ended in October, sparking rumours of a reunion.

And it has now been confirmed that the Brockman's are back for a Christmas special with viewers set to discover what has happened to the family in the past decade.

During this time, it has been revealed that one of the Brockman kids has welcomed a child of their own in a brief synopsis for the upcoming episode.

It will follow the chaos in the downsized home of Pete and Sue Brockman, as they grapple with parenting kids who are now adults, with their own lives to lead.

The stars of the original series are returning for the special including Hugh Dennis as dad Pete, 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.

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 Dennis says: '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 Skinner says: '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, Director of BBC Comedy, says: '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.'

Fans were delighted by the news that the British sitcom is set for a big festive return and took to social media to share their excitement

The child stars of Outnumbered previously sent fans into a frenzy as they reunited nine years after the hit show ended in October

The child stars of Outnumbered previously sent fans into a frenzy as they reunited nine years after the hit show ended in October (pictured Tyger, Ramona and Daniel)

The trio played the characters from 2007 to 2014, as the show detailed their parents - played by Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner - raising their children in South London

Reunited: The actor, who played Jake Brockman in the hit BBC series, wrote: 'Great to be back with the fam for #comicrelief - if you don't already know, these guys are legends'

Fans were delighted by the news that the British sitcom is set for a big festive return and took to social media to share their excitement.

They said: 'So excited yes my favourite sitcom is coming back for Xmas special'; OUTNUMBERED COMING BACK FOR A SPECIAL EPISODE'; 'Outnumbered is back was NOT expecting that';

'My real family coming home (outnumbered) I've missed my dad so much (pete brockman)'; 'Omg Outnumbered is coming back for Christmas!'; 'Hands up, who saw Outnumbered coming back for Christmas?'.

Others commented that it completed an incredible festive line-up after it was already announced that there would be a final Gavin and Stacey special.

They said: 'Outnumbered AND Gavin & Stacey Christmas specials this year? 20211, is that you?'; Outnumbered AND Gavin and Stacey? Christmas 2024 I love you already'; Gavin and Stacey and now outnumbered??? Finally a good Christmas line-up!!!'

From Outnumbered to outcast? How the child stars of BBC hit took VERY different paths since the show ended - from drugs controversy to a panto prince

The child stars of Outnumbered previously sent fans into a frenzy as they reunited nine years after the hit show ended in October.

Ramona, 23, took to Instagram to share behind-the-scenes snaps from a secret project with older on-screen brothers Tyger, 28, and Daniel, 24.

The post sparked questions from fans asking if a new series could be on the way, while over on Tyger's Instagram he provided more clues.

The actor, who played Jake Brockman in the hit BBC series, wrote: 'Great to be back with the fam for #comicrelief - if you don't already know, these guys are legends. Apologies for a lack of activity on here. I'll sort it out. #outnumbered #grateful #family'.

Followers took to the comment section pleading with the trio to bring the show back.

'Outnumbered needs to come back!!', one follower wrote.

Others added: 'Need a one off episode of you all now as grown ups' and 'are you filming something???'

However, when one follower asked if Outnumbered was being brought back for good, Tyger replied: 'I don't think so mate'.

The trio played the characters from 2007 to 2014, as the show detailed their parents - played by Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner - raising their children in South London.

Back together: Ramona Marquez, 22, who played Karen Brockman, took to Instagram on Monday to share snaps from her secret project with older on-screen brothers

Excitement: The post sparked questions from fans asking if a new series could be on the way, while over on Tyger's Instagram he provided more clues as to what they were working on

Memories: Ramona looked thrilled to be back with her older on-screen brothers as they posed for a photo

Outnumbered was watched by 9.4 million viewers at its peak and ran for five series with a one-off Christmas special in 2016.

The show centred on a middle-class family living in London, as teacher Pete (Hugh) and personal assistant Sue (Claire) struggled to balance their careers with their unruly children.

In 2018, the on-screen parents shocked fans as they revealed they've been dating for over a year following the breakdown of their marriages.

Opening up about their romance to The Mail On Sunday, the pair spoke about of their real-life happiness after it emerged that they have been in a relationship since 2017.

Comedian Hugh confirmed the romance, saying he was 'very happy' after finding love with Clockwork Mice star Claire.

'I am very, very happy, we are so very happy. It's nice and yes, it's so lovely,' he said at the time.