No new series in 2012

Outnumbered might never return for a new series – as its child stars are getting too old.

There will be only two special episodes next year, 14-year-old actor Tyger Drew-Honey has revealed, as the sitcom’s long-term prospects depend on whether writers can maintain the ideas as the children enter secondary school.

When the BBC One series started in 2007, the youngest of the child actors, Ramona Marquez was just six – so by 2013, she will be 12, marking a big change in the family dynamic.

Tyger told The Sun: ‘There's a special on Christmas Eve. Next year there'll be a Comic Relief special and maybe another Christmas special.

‘I think they don't want to dive and do a whole series because it might not work with the kids getting older.’

But he said that in 2013: ‘There could be another series.’

Creators Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin have always said they take the comedy one series at a time – despite the BBC’s desire to commission more – because the child actors grow up so fast.

Published: 7 Dec 2011