If ever a show needed a DVD release, then it’s Outnumbered. This was a show that was, by and large, ignored elsewhere, but became an instant favourite amongst those that watched it. In fact, fans of the show positively adored it to the point of it being a problem. That’s no bad thing though as it really was a superb bit of telly, which made 4th spot in our Best of 2007 list. Now series one is getting a release, everyone who missed it should catch hold of the coat tail and go along for the ride.

For those that need a little convincing, Outnumbered is about two parents and three young children, locked in a very real and very familiar contest. As parents are prone to telling you, the kids usually win… and Outnumbered is holds a mirror up to that, and some! One nice phrase from the press release is that the show allows us to “witness an honest portrayal of parental incompetence”. I like that.

Like most families, the Outnumbered lot lead a chaotic life of trainers left on the stairs, soggy cornflakes and baffling child logic. Of course, the latter point is in reference to the astounding Karen, played by Ramona Marquez who, it seems, completely improvised her entire stint on the show. Our Anna referred to her as “a tiny genius.”

Through the family, we get the scary first day at secondary school, nits, weak bladders, death and heaven, romantic nights in, divorce, running away, atoms, corn-fed organic chickens, Nazis and ratbags. It’s quite a list huh?

The series was made by the people who brought us Drop The Dead Donkey (due a reappraisal surely?) and this BBC DVD will be released on 27th October and should retail at around £20. Extras include interviews with the cast and creators. This is a must-buy.