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Outnumbered parents confirm they’re real-life couple

They've been dating quietly for a year

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The on-screen parents from BBC sitcom Outnumbered have confirmed they’ve become a couple in real life.

Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner, who play married pair Pete and Sue Brockman in the hit show, say they are “so very happy” together.

It is understood they have been quietly dating for about a year and are very much in love.

Hugh says they are “so very happy” (Credit: Andy Barnes/FameFlynet)

Hugh, who stars on BBC2’s Mock the Week, told the Mail on Sunday: “I am very, very happy. We are so very happy.

“It’s nice. And yes, it’s so lovely,” the comedian and actor added of their romance.

Claire stars with Hugh on Outnumbered (Credit: FameFlynet)

Read more: Hit BBC sitcom Outnumbered set for a return

A friend of the couple told The Sun that they began a relationship following the collapse of their marriages.

The pal said: “They were going through marriage breakdowns at very similar times, but it was quite a while after their separations that they got together last year.

Read more: Emmerdale’s real life couple share photos from romantic New York holiday

“They’ve always been really friendly but they were living their own lives until they were both single.”

Reports say Claire split from husband Charles Palmer two-and-a-half years ago while father-of-two Hugh’s 19-year marriage to his second wife, Kate Abbot-Anderson, ended in 2015.

Hugh and Claire’s Outnumbered characters are parents to Jake, Ben and Karen.

Hugh with ex-wife Kate Abbot-Anderson (Credit: Andy Barnes/FameFlynet)

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The hugely popular sitcom started in 2007 and ran for seven years, launching the careers of their on-screen children Tyger Drew-Honey, Daniel Roche and Romana Marquez.

A Christmas special aired on Boxing Day, 2016, and Hugh has said that further one-offs were being planned following its success.

Are you happy for Hugh and Claire? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor

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