Last Friday, Gogglebox returned to our tellies for its 17th series. While we were delighted to see the show back, the return was tinged with sadness after the recent deaths of several beloved Gogglebox cast members.
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Pete McGarry, who appeared with his wife Linda, passed away in June. Last month, Andrew Michael—who appeared alongside wife Carolyne and kids Katy, Alex, Pascal and Louis—also passed away following a short illness. Mary Cook—another fan favourite who appeared alongside her best friend Marina—also passed away in August.
Could you be a Goggleboxer?
With the late stars’ families understandably choosing not to continue with filming, Gogglebox is on the lookout for some new stars. Speaking to The Daily Star, Gogglebox executive producer Victoria Ray revealed:
We pick people who don't want to be on telly. The ideal people are ones who don't know that they're funny. We like people who are charismatic, engaging and who don't necessarily see themselves as TV personalities...
It's good when they have no filter because then they don't second-guess themselves when they're talking. We basically want people that you warm to and want to see in your living rooms.
What’s it like being on Gogglebox?
However, prospective Goggleboxers might be given pause for thought by some of the comments made by ex-stars of the show recently. Paige Deville, who appeared on the show with her mum Sally, announced this week that she had quit following a family disagreement that has left her having ‘nothing to do with’ her mum.
It also seems she wasn’t totally happy with the show itself as she tweeted:
I have made the decision to walk away from Gogglebox. It’s been an experience but one I cannot continue with due to long hours of filming, restrictiveness, control of our actions and opinions & zero aftercare support but hey who cares about ex cast, their NTA winners
