Outnumbered festive special FIRST LOOK: Trailer introduces a new member of the family as the Brockman's reunite for Christmas

BBC viewers were gifted an early Christmas present this weekend as they shared a surprise trailer for the upcoming Outnumbered special.

Running for five seasons from 2007 until 2014, the sitcom followed the Brockmans – a middle-class family living in Chiswick, west London. 

Parents Pete (Hugh Dennis) and Sue (Claire Skinner) were 'outnumbered' by their three children – Jake (Tyger Drew-Honey), Ben (Daniel Roche) and Karen (Ramona Marquez), with the show praised for its realistic portrayal of family life.

After eight years off screen, the new episode will be set at Christmas and follows the family as they grapple with the challenges of parenting adult children, all of whom have their own lives and problems to deal with.

The trailer kicks off with a look back at the previous Christmas specials, as a clips from the 2009, 2012 and 2016 episodes play.

Written and directed by creators Guy Jenkin and Andy Hamilton, Sue and Pete are seen trying to gather their children together for a traditional family Christmas and there is one unexpected new family member. 

The BBC teased: 'In a moment of adversity, Sue and Pete gather all their offspring (including one grandchild) to try and celebrate a traditional family Christmas and share some unwelcome news with their children. But fate, neighbours, hyenas and bus replacement services get in their way'.

In the first clip, from 2009, Sue despondently says how it's 'lovely being surrounded by kids at Christmas' as she clutches a wine glass and her husband looks tense as a child can be heard screaming in the background.

The next, from 2012, sees Pete trying to encourage his family to 'do something festive' to no avail.

Then, in a clip from the upcoming special, he's seen being picked up before a young girl, believed to be the couple's granddaughter, arrives at the family's home.

Meanwhile a now grown-up Jake (the girl's father) is then seen begging for a rest while explaining how exhausted he is.

The episode, which will air on Boxing day, will feature all five original cast members.

It comes after Tyger, 28, opened up about how Jake is finding fatherhood, explaining that he is having some struggles with navigating parenting a three-year-old.

He said: 'Jake absolutely adores his child and is very much in love with the mother of his child but he has been having struggles with fatherhood as any parents of small children can relate… Especially the lack of sleep and his daughter's tendency to impersonate animals.

'If I had to compare her personality to either Karen or Ben when they were younger, I'd say she's got more of a Ben personality. She's got some of the genes that Ben and I got from Dad.'

Speaking about how it felt to be back with his TV family, Tyger said: 'We've all got very unique relationships with each other. Being an only child, Ramona and Daniel are the closest thing I've got to a brother and sister and with Hugh and Claire it's like having a second set of parents, it's certainly nice.'

While Ramona, 23, added: 'For me it's like being back with really good friends again who you've known for ages and just hanging out. It feels very natural being back together and I look forward to seeing these guys.'

Claire gushed: 'I was saying this morning it's really nice relating to Tyger, Ramona and Daniel as adults, and getting to know the adult versions of them, it's been really really nice.'

And proud dad Hugh said: 'I was also thinking that if Claire and I were your actual parents I'd be thinking we've done a really good job', as Claire agreed: 'Yes you are such lovely people.'

The award-winning show was watched by 9.4 million viewers at its peak and ran for five series between 2007 and 2014, with a one-off Christmas special in 2016.

Viewers watched Tyger, Daniel and Ramona grow up on screen, beginning the show at just 10, six and five years old respectively.

Reflecting on starring on such a popular show at such a young age, Daniel admitted: 'For me and Ramona we were young and didn't really have anything to compare it to. 

'Filming this special really made me appreciate the opportunity that Outnumbered gave us and how inextricably connected it is with our lives and I'm very grateful.'

Ramona echoed: 'I agree we don't really have a point of comparison, it always felt quite normal and natural for us. Everyone on Outnumbered was always so caring and made sure we were having a good time.'

Tyger gushed: 'In terms of work, I consider Outnumbered to be such a great achievement and I feel privileged to have been cast in the show. 

'It's given me a career which I may not have realised I wanted if I hadn't have done Outnumbered. Knowing that people love the show as much as I love making it is great and I feel very lucky.'

Reflecting on the start of the show in 2007, he said: 'I was 10 and I was just excited. I had no idea what it might become, I was just excited and thought I'm gonna be on the telly and that was cool. 

'I would have never had thought we would be doing it 18 years later.'

The show followed the chaotic attempts of teacher Pete and personal assistant Sue trying to balance their careers with their unruly children in London.

And in 2018, Hugh and Claire shocked fans as they revealed they'd struck up a real life romance, 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 said at the time he was 'very happy' after finding love with his on-screen wife, gushing: 'I am very, very happy, we are so very happy. It's nice and yes, it's so lovely'.

While Claire broke her silence on their relationship the following year, calling their romance a 'lovely little life surprise'.

Speaking on ITV's Lorraine in September, she said: 'We are [together]. It's a lovely little life surprise, isn't it? It's a lovely thing.'  

And earlier this year Tyger, Daniel and Ramona told The Sun of the surreal moment that they found out their fake parents had fallen in love for real.

Daniel said: 'It was great news, to be honest. We've known both of them for a long time. You can imagine, we're on a set with three kids and for a lot of the time, they're the only two adult actors. 

'We had separate green rooms. They get on so well, the chemistry's so real. So happy for them.'

While Ramona quipped: 'My mum said: 'Can't they adopt you and now you can make a real-life Outnumbered family?''

The Outnumbered Christmas special will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Thursday 26th December at 9:40pm.