Outnumbered viewers make major realisation about show's parents that will change how you watch it

The Outnumbered Christmas special might have divided viewers, but there's one detail about the cast that everyone can agree on and it's causing people to lose their minds.

The beloved BBC comedy originally aired in 2007 until 2014, followed by a 2016 Christmas special.

However, the three unruly children Jake, Ben and Karen (played by Tyger Drew-Honey, Daniel Roche and Ramona Marquez respectively) and their on-screen parents Pete and Sue (Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner) returned this festive season as fans got to revisit the Brockman family once again.

The special marked the first time we saw the kids as grown ups, which included their extended family and a more serious storyline.

Some fans of the show weren't best pleased with the straight-faced approach, to the point where its creators came out to address the comments.

In the episode, which aired on Boxing Day (26 December), dad Pete finds out he has prostate cancer and doesn't know how to tell his children.

It's a serious topic that many families sadly go through, but viewers weren't sure if a Christmas special was the right time to address it.

Guy Jenkin and Andy Hamilton spoke about the decision, as the former pointed out: "People often remember Outnumbered for the delightful children, but it always dealt with quite serious things: dementia, death, homophobia."

Speaking about the 'stigma' around cancer, they wanted to show that the family dealt with it through 'warmth, love and especially humour', noting that it's a 'very British way' to deal with serious events.

Two members of the Outnumbered cast are closer than before (BBC)

However, there was still a large number of fans that enjoyed seeing the return of the Brockmans, though there has been a change among the cast since the 2016 Christmas special that has made the viewing experience that much better.

Following the wrap party for that episode, Dennis and Skinner, the parents on the show, got together and now reportedly live together.

Fans took to social media to share their thrill at the news, as one wrote: "How have I just found out that Hugh Dennis and Claire skinner a real life couple"

Another added: "Oh but my heart at seeing hugh dennis and claire skinner playing pete and sue and knowing they're actually together irl!!!!!!! so sweet!!!!!!!!!"

The actors are now a couple in real-life, which has left fans gushing (BBC)

A third commented: "Outnumbered is just as fun as ever. Gentle humour. The only slightly odd aspect is remembering that Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner have been an actual couple for the last six years."

A different user weighed in: "Not Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner dating in real life tooo," as many others also couldn't believe the news.

The pair were both married to other people during the show's original run, but it looks like the stars aligned in 2016, with both becoming newly single.