Get ready couch potatoes, this Christmas is going to be spectacular. Not only are we getting a Gavin and Stacey Christmas special but we’re getting an Outnumbered one too. It’s been a while since we last tuned into these shows: Outnumbered last aired in 2016 and Gavin and Stacey hasn’t been on our screens since 2019.
Here’s what I think they’ve been up to since we last saw them.
Outnumbered
It’s been an interesting few years for the Brockman family. Ever since Pete (Hugh Dennis) was cancelled, the family have had to educate him on what he can and can’t put on X (he’s considering starting a secret account on Truth Social). Meanwhile, mum Sue (Claire Skinner) has taken up a new hobby: wild swimming. She insists that it’s really helping lower her stress levels, while still succumbing to road rage every now and then (you’ll be pleased to hear that “Nazi ratbag” is still her insult of choice).
As for the kids, well they aren’t kids anymore.
Jake, the most normal of the Brockman children, recently shocked his family by voting Reform in the July General Election. It’s always the ones you least expect.
Energetic Ben has recently been diagnosed with ADHD. Who saw that one coming?
Karen is still recovering from Brat summer. She has recently started a Depop shop where she labels her old Brownies uniform as ‘Y2K vintage’. She wanted to start an Etsy shop selling star sign jewellery but has decided against it as Jake told her that star signs are the government’s way of controlling us.
As for Auntie Angela, she hasn’t been travelling since the white saviourism accusations. Instead she has become a health and wellness guru, seeing herself as a potential rival to Gwyneth. She swears by her gua sha and now takes her tea with 2 sugars and a spoonful of collagen.
Gavin and Stacey
Not much has changed since we last saw everyone in 2019, truth be told. Gavin and Stacey are doing fine. Stacey (Joanna Page) is still Welsh and Gavin (Mathew Horne) is still Gavin.
Nessa (Ruth Jones) is furious that her former lover, Donald Trump, has been re-elected to the presidency, but she is getting her revenge by telling everyone that he performed poorly in the bedroom. She insists that Bill Clinton was far superior.
Smithy (James Cordon), ever the model father, has been teaching Neil The Baby how to chat up girls, but Nessa has told Neil that he’ll be put on a register if he’s not careful.
Pam (Alison Steadman) is thrilled to bits that Camilla has finally become queen. She reads Hello! Magazine to keep up with her every move, almost living vicariously through her. Mick (Larry Lamb) is a bit concerned and wondering if it’s time to stage an intervention.
In keeping with current times, Pam has had to change some of her nicknames for her friends. Sue, Big Fat Sue is now known as Plus-Sized Sue. No Man Jan is now Strong Independent Jan. Japanese Margaret is, well, still Japanese Margaret.
Gwen (Melanie Walters) hasn’t touched an omelette in yonks because the last one she made gave her horrific food poisoning. She has since fallen into a deep depression and only lightens up when reminiscing about past omelettes.
Dawn (Julia Davis) and Pete (Adrian Scarborough) were teetering on the edge of divorce again when she found his vape (banana pudding flavoured, let it be known). Dawn went ballistic at him and said he was no longer the Peter Sutcliffe she knew and loved. Luckily, Pete was able to make it up to her by dressing up as a Bridgerton brother, and the pair are now happier than ever.
Bryn (Rob Brydon) is busy holding space for the lyrics of ‘Defying Gravity’ and waiting for Wicked to come out on DVD (he’s old school like that).
Will we ever find out what happened on that infamous fishing trip? Don’t hold your breath.
Most importantly, did Smithy accept Nessa’s proposal? We’ll hopefully find out soon.
You can watch Outnumbered and Gavin and Stacey this Christmas on BBC One.
