THE cast of Outnumbered shared it was ‘surreal’ to find out their onscreen parents had started dating off-screen.
Tyger-Drew Honey, Daniel Roche and Ramona Marquez played the three Brockman kids – Jake, Ben and Karen.
The trio reunited at the NTAs on Wednesday (September 11) to present the Comedy award.
Speaking exclusively backstage to The Sun, they discussed learning about on-screen parents Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner’s real-life romance.
As Ramona agreed it had been surreal, Daniel added: “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.”
Ramona added: “My mum said, ‘Can’t they adopt you and now you can make a real-life Outnumbered family.”
Hugh and Claire began playing married couple Pete and Sue Brockman in 2007.
The actors confirmed their real-life relationship in 2018 – two years after their last (at the time) on-screen appearance together.
Their sitcom aired for five series on BBC One between 2007 to 2014.
In May, the BBC confirmed Outnumbered would be returning for a Christmas special.
It comes eight years after the previous edition, in winter 2016.
Viewers were excited to see the show return, as one wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Outnumbered is back was NOT expecting that.”
COMMENT BY ROD MCPHEE
THE only surprise at tonight’s National Television Awards was that there were virtually no surprises.
Ant and Dec took home Presenter Award for the millionth time, Strictly bagged the Talent Show gong and I’m A Celebrity triumphed in the Entertainment category.
Kate Garraway scooping the authored documentary award for Derek’s Story was entirely deserved, but not a total shock either as she’d already done the same two years ago with Caring for Derek.
There were a few curveballs. Emmerdale beating Goliath soaps EastEnders and Corrie was unexpected, particularly as the rivals have both boasted big storylines recently.
And though there was no doubting how hugely moving Mr BatesVs The Post Office was for viewers this year, it was still stunning to see them bag three awards.
Does the general lack of surprises diminish the thrill of the NTAs? Not at all. It remains one of the few awards shows which actually gauges what the majority of Brits are actually watching.
We live in a bewildering world where scandals often rock shows, in an age where streaming means the shared experience is diminished and ratings are hard to decipher.
But year in, year out NTA voters leave us in no doubt which shows they adore, which ones they’ve fallen out of love with, and which celebrities they’re prepared to back.
Look at how quickly relatively new shows like The Traitors, Bridgerton and The 1% Club have been embraced by NTA voters.
They aren’t interested in PR stunts and promotion, in highbrow actors and writers lauded by their fellow luvvies and they certainly can’t stand having what they ought to be watching dictated to them
They tell us all loud and clear, every year, who they consider to be the best – and woe betide any telly exec who ignores them.
Another added: “OMG #Outnumbered is coming back for Christmas.”
While a third shared: “Gavin and Stacey and now Outnumbered???
“Finally a good Christmas lineup!”
The Outnumbered Christmas special will air on BBC One.
