TV & Showbiz

Beloved BBC sitcom Outnumbered is returning for a one-off Christmas special

The Brockmans are BACK.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 23rd May 2024

The BBC has announced that one of its best-loved sitcoms is returning for a one-off special this Christmas.

That’s right… The Brockmans are back.

Eight years since it graced our TV screens with its last Christmas special back in 2016, it’s just been announced that the award-winning comedy series, Outnumbered, is back for more this festive season, with a one-off special episode written and directed by the show’s original creators, Guy Jenkin and Andy Hamilton.

In case you’re unfamiliar with the BBC show, or never got the chance to tune in when it originally aired, Outnumbered ran for five series between 2007 to 2014, and became massively-popular thanks to being both a scripted programme but with scenes featuring the children being semi-improvised.

All the stars of the original much-loved series are returning for the new Christmas special – including Hugh Dennis as dad Pete, Claire Skinner as mum Sue, Tyger Drew-Honey as eldest son Jake, Daniel Roche as middle child Ben, and Ramona Marquez as the youngest daughter, Karen.

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Just as fans of the show have come to know, expect, and ultimately, love, the broadcaster says this new Christmas special 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.

In a moment of adversity, Sue and Pete gather all their offspring to try and celebrate a traditional family Christmas, but fate, neighbours, hyenas, and bus replacement services get in their way.

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Ahead of the Brockmans’ return later this year, co-creator, writer, and director, Andy Hamilton, commented: “It’s a very exciting prospect to be revisiting the Brockman family – older, but not necessarily wiser – as they steer a path through the perils of Christmas and the rapids of modern-day family life.”

Outnumbered ran for five series between 2007 to 2014 / Credit: BBC

Star Hugh Dennis says he “can’t wait” for the Brockmans to be “back together again.”

Claire Skinner also shares her fellow co-star’s view, adding: “I’m really looking forward to being reunited with my TV family, as working on this wonderful BBC comedy doesn’t feel like work and is one of the greatest joys for us all.”

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Outnumbered will be returning to BBC One and BBC iPlayer during the 2024 festive season, with an exact air date to be announced in due course.

Featured Image – BBC

TV & Showbiz

Greater Manchester cinemas are screening loads of classic Christmas films throughout December

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Cinemas across the UK will be screening loads of classic festive films in the run-up to Christmas, and you can already book tickets.

With the nights drawing in, the temperatures dropping by the day, and the most wonderful time of the year now firmly in our sights, film fans looking for some wholesome festive fun in the run-up to the big day itself will soon be able to head on down to their nearest Greater Manchester cinema to catch a classic on the big screen.

Vue, Odeon, and The Light are among the cinema chains set to screen a handful of beloved Christmas films throughout December.

Although there may already be a TV channel showing Christmas films 24/7 now on air in the UK, if you fancy seeing the festivities in full screen instead, then you can watch showings of fan-favourites like Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually, and more over the next few weeks.

Greater Manchester cinemas are screening loads of classic Christmas films throughout December / Credit: 20th Century Studios | Universal Pictures

You can also see seasonal screenings of live ballet, theatre, and concert performances too.

Undoubtably one of the highlights on the lineup this year, however, has to be The Polar Express, with several cinema chains scheduled to screen the 2004 animated Christmas gem to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its release.

Starring Tom Hanks alongside a talented supporting cast of voice actors, The Polar Express is based on the beloved children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg and tells the story of a young boy who boards a powerful magical train to visit Santa Claus’ home on Christmas Eve, learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas along the way.

Elf, Home Alone, and Love Actually are among the films on the lineup / Credit: Krists Luhaers (via Unsplash)

Looking for a more intimate festive film experience this Christmas?

Well you can also get yourself down to one of Manchester’s most popular hotels, King Street Townhouse, where a jam-packed lineup of classics will be screened in its very-own exclusive cinema over the next two months.

Here you can also complete your seasonal experience with festive-themed cocktails, popcorn, pick n mix, and a whole host of other treats too.

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Head to your local cinema’s website to check when your favourite festive flicks are being screened.

Featured Image – Warner Bros.

TV & Showbiz

Tommy Fury announces return to boxing after dropping out of I’m a Celeb 2024 last-minute

Danny Jones Danny Jones Tommy Fury boxing in Manchester Co-op Live vs Darren Till

Manc fighter Tommy Fury has announced his sudden return to boxing after dropping out of this year’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

The Wythenshawe-born boxer hasn’t been in the ring since his victory over YouTube star turned fighter, musician and jack of all trades, KSI, back in December 2023, but he has now booked his next bout.

Preparing to take on former UFC middleweight Darren Till in the New Year, he’s set a blockbuster date for the hometown fight as Fury vs Till will be held at none other than Manchester’s state-of-the-art entertainment venue, Co-op Live.

Not even Tyson has had a Co-op fight yet – at least not the arena one, anyway.

Sharing the official DAZN fight poster this past weekend, the 25-year-old will take on Till as part of the next Misfits event, an ever-growing boxing promotion co-founded by his former opponent KSI.

This has all transpired very quickly as the 25-year-old looked set to feature on the 2024 I’m a Celeb lineup but ultimately pulled out in the 11th hour.

National treasures and long-serving hosts hosts, Ant and Dec, even made a dig about it on the first episode of this season which aired on Sunday night, expressing their disbelief at replacement Barry McGuigan doing the show before adding, “Well it was either do this or fight the YouTuber on Netflix.”

Besides the fight against KSI (real name Olajide ‘JJ’ Olatunji), his Fury‘s most notable fight famously came against fellow influencer and celebrity boxer Jake Paul, in which he was declared the victor following a split decision.

Meanwhile, Paul has continued to dive deeper into his now-pro boxing career, which officially began in 2020, and just recently a shock win over 58-year-old sporting legend Mike Tyson on points – though the exclusive Netflix-produced fight has been accused of being ‘rigged’.

31-year-old Till, on the other hand, has long maintained his opinion of the younger Fury brother’s boxing ability and seems pretty confident he knows what the outcome will be.

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Hailing from Walton, in Liverpool, not only will it be a homecoming night for ‘TNT’ but it will also be an all-North West affair with plenty of local rivalry fuelling both boxers and the crowd.

Fury has been taking time out of the spotlight following his well-publicised spilt from Molly Mae-Hague earlier this year but is now set for his biggest stage yet.

Tommy Fury vs Darren Till comes to Co-op Live in Manchester on 18 January and it will be just the second combat sports event ever held at the venue after UFC 304 earlier this year, where fellow Manc Tom Aspinall retained his interim heavyweight title.

Co-op Members can access pre-sale from 10am on Tuesday, 19 November, with general admission tickets going live at 6pm later that same day. You can get ready to grab yours HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Ghazi Twaissi (via Wikimedia Commons)/The Manc Group

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