Outnumbered gets fifth series

Outnumbered is to return for a fifth series, plus 40-minute Christmas special, producers Hat Trick have announced.

Stars Hugh Dennis, Claire Skinner, Samantha Bond, David Ryall, Tyger Drew-Honey, Daniel Roche and Ramona Marquez will return for the new episodes – which will not be filmed until late 2013.

Last year, Drew-Honey, who is now 16, predicted that the show will end after five series when the young cast become too old.

‘If it gets to a point where they aren't cute any more, though, I think it will have to stop.’

The fourth season aired from September, so it will be more than a year’s gap between series.

Outnumbered is written, directed and produced by Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin, whose credits also include Drop The Dead Donkey.