We've been dreading this day, the day when we finally have to cut the apron strings and let go of the kids from Outnumbered. Sorry, we thought we'd be able to stay strong but it's just too... *dabs eyes with hankie*

Yes, after five series, the show's child stars Tyger Drew-Honey (Jake), Daniel Roche (Ben) and Ramona Marquez (Karen) are starting to dwarf their on-screen parents Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner, meaning it's time to bring the beloved BBC sitcom to an end. In this final episode, Auntie Angela (Samantha Bond) returns to show off her latest toy boy, there's a cringeworthy performance of the school play, Spartacus: The Musical, and, most shockingly of all, there are signs that the Brockman kids might actually have turned out... alright?!

Outnumbered rises in ratings with 4.3 million

Outnumbered bounced back in the ratings for BBC One on Wednesday evening, overnight data reveals.

Outnumbered: I'll be sad to see you go

It must've been quite a challenge to take a series that was so reliant on the unpredictably of its young stars, and make it relevant now that the those same kids have hit their teens, but in my view they've managed it.

Radio Times review

If you're settling down for a relaxing half-hour of gentle entertainment, this isn't it. In fact it's likely to make your blood pressure soar. Pete's in charge of the Brockman brood for the day while Sue's struggling to organise a conference call at work... and yes, that's Harry Shearer (from The Simpsons) on the computer screen.

And on this day Karen's in trouble with her head teacher (Rebecca Front delivering a startling line about Roald Dahl), Ben's lost his mobile, Jake's lost his Oyster card and Pete's lost the plot, trying to juggle these problems by shouting into an aged mobile.

Anyone whose train of thought has been derailed by the tangential mind of a teenager will relate to Pete's exasperation, while many women will experience a familiar feeling of dread when he pompously announces "Just leave it all to me!"

Outnumbered, episode five, BBC One, review

BBC One's family sitcom Outnumbered has lots its edge, says Michael Hogan.

Outnumbered, TV review

As Outnumbered (BBC One) creaks towards it finale next week, it's clear the show is long past its early peak and though some of its gags are written on fumes (Pete can't work out predictive texting; an IT man suggests turning a computer on and off again) it still has enough moments to raise a smile.

Outnumbered, episode four, BBC One, review

To be fair, Outnumbered (BBC One) has never made breakneck plotting or surprise twists a selling-point, and it's perhaps unfair to expect it to morph into Breaking Bad in its final series. It's become cosy, comfortable viewing - My Family with improv - and there's nothing wrong with that.

Radio Times review

Given the choice between going camping with Ben (it's on Pete's "50 things to do with your kids before they become teenagers" list) and almost anything else, you'd think the latter would be the preferable option. But although Ben catches some unfortunate doggers in the traps he's set, he does manage to bond with his dad while they're being Bear Grylls in the woods.

Sue has no such luck. She's alarmed that Karen has body issues fuelled by the skinny Stacey, who is happily oblivious to the effect rhapsodising about diets and plastic surgery has on a young girl. Makes a night in a tent with Ben seem downright attractive.

Outnumbered series 5 episode 4 review: The Gap Year

The Gap Year was a bit of a missed opportunity in some ways but it was still funny. Inferior to The Goddaughter last week, maybe, but it was good, packed with tongue-in-cheek humour (when is Outnumbered ever not?), some memorable scenes and stronger (yes, I'll be banging on about this for a while yet) characterisation.

Outnumbered review: The older kids just aren't as funny

It's right that the once brilliant BBC1 comedy about hapless parents and their naughty children is bidding farewell, says Ben Dowell.