Outnumbered fans left ‘disappointed’ with ‘flat’ Christmas special as they slam ‘outrageous’ storyline: ‘Why would you do this?’
BBC’s Outnumbered Christmas special has sparked a wave of criticism from viewers, with many branding the long-awaited reunion episode “disappointing” and “forced” after it aired on Boxing Day.
The festive instalment, which marked the Brockman family’s return after an eight-year hiatus, left numerous fans expressing their dismay on social media.
The special centred around Pete (Hugh Dennis) revealing his prostate cancer diagnosis to his now grown-up children Jake, Ben and Karen. The episode also introduced significant changes to the Brockman family dynamic, with Jake now having a partner and child of his own.
The family had moved to a new house, a detail that immediately upset longtime fans of the series.
Other plotlines included Ben’s world travels, Karen being fired from her third job after breaking up with her girlfriend, and Pete and Sue dealing with a houseguest who had overstayed her welcome by nine weeks.
The BBC described it as a gathering “in a moment of adversity” for a traditional family Christmas.
Viewers were particularly vocal about the change of house and the cancer storyline, with many taking to social media to express their distress.
“That Outnumbered special absolutely did not need to be made. Felt very forced and just not funny at all,” wrote one viewer on X, formerly Twitter.
Some fans even declared it among “the worst programmes on TV all year,” with others lamenting that the episode felt “flat” and “messy”.
Another wrote: “Thought the Outnumbered special episode was going to be happy and nostalgic but they’ve moved house and Pete is dying.”
The cancer subplot proved especially difficult for some viewers, with one cancer survivor commenting: “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.”
“Right now WHAT was the point in giving Pete cancer please????” questioned another viewer.
Fans also expressed concern over actor Tyger Drew-Honey’s appearance in the special, with many barely recognising the star who rose to fame as Jake at age ten.
“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 viewer wrote on social media.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
James Corden issues statement as Gavin and Stacey finale bags ratings record for BBCDavina McCall leaves The Masked Singer fans stunned as she makes return weeks after brain surgeryKatya Jones sets record straight on relationship status after Strictly divorce and kissing scandal
“Is Jake meant to be looking like a zombie?” questioned another, while a third compared him to “Nicholas Hoult in Warm Bodies after he became a zombie!”
The comments reflected widespread worry about Drew-Honey’s physical condition among the show’s audience.
Despite the criticism, some viewers shared positive reactions to the Christmas special.
“Outnumbered made me laugh so much but it feels like there needs to be MORE EPISODES!!!” enthused one fan on social media.
“Oh I loved the #Outnumbered Christmas special! So good to see the whole family and new faces back for one episode!” wrote another.
One viewer offered a balanced perspective: “I generally enjoyed #Outnumbered, it was always gonna be a different dynamic with all of them older but it felt real and had laugh-out-loud moments.”