When the Channel 4 show returns tomorrow night for series 26 there will be a lot of fresh faces lighting up the screen – but what does it mean for the regulars?
Gogglebox is to be given a major overhaul with five new families joining the regulars for the new series from their sofas – after just one pair were axed.
Earlier this summer, it emerged that Scottish couple Roisin Kelly and Joe Kyle were leaving the show after producers decided not to invite them back for the 26th run, which starts on Channel 4 tomorrow.
Now two new Scottish duos are among the incoming groups of telly watchers – pals Jake, 27, and Calum, 31, from Glasgow plus sisters Rosie, 68, and Susie, 70, from Edinburgh.
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The show is also to get its oldest contributor in the form of 87-year-old Sara from Yorkshire, who will watch the box alongside her daughter-in-law Lara, 58.
The other two families are the Gordons from Surrey, comprising parents Andre, 49, and Sarah, 47, alongside their daughter Chee, 25 plus married couple Andrew, 62, and Alfie, 32, from the Cotswolds.
One insider said the changes were to “inject a bit of freshness” into the long-running show, which remains one of Channel 4’s best-loved titles after 13 years on air.
But the injection of new faces could cause stress for some of the Gogglebox regulars, who may feel they are now in danger of being pushed out in the coming months if the new arrivals prove popular.
The series will showcase the new groupings on screen from tonight at 9pm. Mike Cotton, creative director for production company Studio Lambert, said it was “a delight” to welcome the fresh households into the Gogglebox family, adding: “Along with our much-loved returning cast, we can’t wait to join them in their living rooms and hear their candid thoughts on this weeks most talked about TV.”
They will join regular Goggleboxers pals Jenny and Lee, the Siddiqui family, the Malone family, married couple Giles and Mary, sisters Ellie and Izzi, Welsh married couple David and Shirley, the Plummer brothers, sisters Amira and Amani, the Worthington family, siblings Pete and Sophie, friends Abbie and Georgia, married couple Sue and Steve, siblings Simon and Jane, married couple Ronnie and Annie, pals Danielle and Daniella, married couple Teresa and Anita and parents Michael & Sally, who appear with their teen twins Jake and Harry.
Joe and Roisin took to social media in July to tell fans that they were not returning for the show’s next series. They wrote: “After three and a half years of sitting on the sofa Channel 4 have decided it’s time for Joe and I to stretch our legs and have not asked us back for season 26. Therefore, we are leaving the Gogglebox family.”
Thanking the producers, they added: “The experience has actually been so mad and we will miss watching TV with you all on Friday nights! It’s been an honour to represent Scotland as some of the first Scottish people on the show and prove we don’t actually need subtitles.”
A spokesperson for Channel 4 said they wished the pair all the best for the future, adding: “We thank Joe and Roisin for their contributions to Gogglebox over the years.”
– Gogglebox, Channel 4, Friday, 9pm
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