Not Going Out
- TV sitcom
- BBC One
- 2006 - 2023
- 100 episodes (13 series)
Fast-paced, gag-packed studio sitcom starring Lee Mack and Sally Bretton. Also features Hugh Dennis, Abigail Cruttenden, Geoffrey Whitehead, Deborah Grant, Bobby Ball and more.
- Due to return for Series 14
- Christmas Special repeated tomorrow at 2am on U&Dave
Episode menu
Series 8 - The True Meaning Of Christmas
Further details
It's Christmas Eve, and Lee and Lucy face a possible yuletide disaster when they discover the perfect present they have bought for their children has already been gifted to them by their grandparents, Geoffrey and Wendy. Lee is forced to rush out at the last minute in search of a suitable substitute. But, with all the local shops closing their doors for the festive period, the race is on for Lee to avoid the ultimate parenting fail on Christmas morning and disappoint his three excited children.
With Lee's lovably feckless father Frank and uptight neighbours Toby and Anna dropping in to join in the madness and mayhem, it's guaranteed to be a family Christmas to remember.
Notes
This episode is dedicated to the memory of Keith Barron, 1934 - 2017.
Broadcast details
- Date
- Sunday 24th December 2017
- Time
- 9:35pm
- Channel
- BBC One
- Length
- 40 minutes
Cast & crew
| Lee Mack | Lee |
| Sally Bretton | Lucy |
| Hugh Dennis | Toby |
| Abigail Cruttenden | Anna |
| Geoffrey Whitehead | Geoffrey |
| Deborah Grant | Wendy |
| Bobby Ball | Frank |
| Francesca Newman | Molly |
| Max Pattison | Benji |
| Finley Southby | Charlie |
| Max Willis | Jack |
| Keith Barron | Michael |
| Lee Mack | Writer |
| Daniel Peak | Writer |
| Simon Evans | Writer (Additional Material) |
| Paul Kerensa | Writer (Additional Material) |
| Simon Griffiths | Writer (Additional Material) |
| Liam Woodman | Writer (Additional Material) |
| Sarah Morgan | Writer (Additional Material) |
| Nick Wood | Director |
| Jamie Rix | Producer |
| Richard Allen-Turner | Executive Producer |
| Lee Mack | Executive Producer |
| Jon Thoday | Executive Producer |
| Rob Aslett | Executive Producer |
| David Finnigan | Line Producer |
| Richard Halladay (as Richard Halladey) | Editor |
| James Dillon | Production Designer |
| Tracey Gillham | Casting Director |
| Leah Archer | Costume Designer |
| Chris Goodger | Director of Photography |
| Carlene Gearing | Make-up Designer |
| Martin Kempton | Lighting Designer |
| Steve Brown | Composer |
| Alex Hardcastle | Composer |
| Gregor Sharp | Commissioning Editor |
Video
The True Meaning of Christmas trailer
Will Lee and Lucy manage to create the perfect family Christmas for the kids?
Featuring: Lee Mack (Lee), Sally Bretton (Lucy) & Deborah Grant (Wendy).
Press
In early 2017, Lee Mack's grumpy but gag-packed sitcom fast-forwarded into Outnumbered territory with Lee and Lucy (Sally Bretton) abruptly becoming parents to three young children. The addition of rosy-cheeked sprogs is a good fit for this special episode as the couple's warring in-laws compete for grandkid affection with gifts so lavish they threaten to outshine Santa. The late Keith Barron guest stars as a prickly toy shop employee.
Graeme Virtue, The Guardian, 24th December 2017