There have been plenty of changes to hit Channel 4 show Gogglebox over the years – including tragic deaths, stars quitting and various other shakeups.
But viewers might not know there are several ‘secret’ members of the team they never get to see from the couch at home.
Some family members of the stars never appear on our TV screens, despite their family connections.
Now, after six stars quit the show – including Marina Wingrove, Linda McGarry and Paige Deville – we delve into the lives of those who are kept exclusively off-camera.
From Pete and Sophie’s celebrity connections to Lee’s secret husband, here are the Gogglebox family members we don’t get to see at home.
The Siddiquis
(Image: (Channel 4 images must not be altered or manipulated in any way) This picture may be used solely for Channel 4 programme publicity purposes in connection with the current broadcast of the programme(s) featured in the national and local press and listings. Not to be reproduced or redistributed for any use or in any medium not set out above (including the internet or other electronic form) without the prior written consent of Channel 4 Picture Publicity.)
The Siddiqui family is made up on-screen of dad Sid and his sons Baasit and Umar.
Sid’s son Raza also sometimes appears on the show to provide his own hilarious commentary – which left some viewers confused as they spotted the new brother.
But the family is also made up of two sisters who never appear on the show.
Baasit is married to Melissa Siddiqui, who also never appears on-screen, and the pair share two children together – daughter Amelia and son Theodore.
In 2019, Melissa made a sweet post on Twitter celebrating her 11th anniversary of meeting Baasit, posting a snap of the pair together when they first met and another with their kids.
She wrote: “#10YearChallenge A lot has changed – this year marks us being together 11 years, married for 7 years, 2 kids, 1 dog, 2 cats, 2 house moves, several job changes, 3 business launches, several highs and just as many lows BUT what a great 10 years it has been!
“Roll on the next decade!”
Though she never appears on the show, Melissa regularly tweets about Gogglebox on social media.
Sid’s own wife Nasreen – who he has been married to for more than 40 years – also never appears on the show.
Izzi and Ellie
(Image: ellie_warner/Instagram)
Sisters Ellie and Izzi regularly delight audiences with their hilarious banter and sisterly squabbles.
Izzi shares a flat with her boyfriend Grant and two sweet children – five-year-old Bobby and daughter Bessie Rose.
Ellie’s boyfriend, meanwhile, has actually appeared on the show before.
Nat, who is also from Leeds, replaced Izzi during the first lockdown period, when both sisters were separately isolating.
(Image: Izzi Warner/Instagram)
Ellie regularly shares snaps of she and her boyfriend on social media, with a sweet New Year post showing them both bundled up in winter gear and enjoying a walk out in nature.
She wrote alongside the snap: “Dusting off the cobwebs… not sitting on my ar** on the sofa watching telly for once.”
Izzi also posts pics alongside Grant on social media, and posed with him during a trip to Las Vegas with their arms around each other.
Izzi penned: “Having the best time with my favourite person”.
Pete and Sophie
(Image: Channel 4)
Brother and sister combo Pete and Sophie crack fans up with their hilarious quips.
But they actually have two other siblings – brother Harry and younger sister Lucy.
They regularly share photos together online, though they’ve never appeared on the show – and we’ve never seen their parents, either.
Pete recently married his wife Paige Yeomans in a secret ceremony, and she recently gave birth to their son – who Pete debuted on the show last week.
(Image: Channel 4)
Speaking to OK! Magazine at the recent National Television Awards ceremony, Pete explained: “I’m married now! It was nerve-wracking but the best day of my life. Well second best day as I’m a dad now, too.
“I’m buzzing [to be at the NTAs] as I got a full night’s sleep in a hotel so I’m well happy.”
The TV star added: “[Being a dad is] tiring. The lack of sleep is not cool but it’s definitely worth it.”
The siblings also share some rather famous connections.
They are the great niece and nephew of children’s TV entertainers Paul and Barry Chuckle. Barry, of course, tragically passed away in 2018 – but the siblings have posed for pictures with their all-star great-uncles in the past.
Paying tribute to Barry in one emotional post, Sophie could be seen with her arms around her uncles and Pete on one side.
She wrote: “A truly lovely and funny man to be around. You filled millions of childhoods with laughter and entertainment including mine and Peter’s. You will be sadly missed by many. Rest in peace Uncle Barry.
“Lots of love from me, to you.”
Jenny and Lee
(Image: Channel 4)
Best buds Jenny and Lee have been firm fan favourites on Gogglebox, with Jenny even moving into Lee’s caravan during lockdown so they could continue to film together.
Jenny Newby’s husband Ray, however, prefers to keep off-camera – though he did briefly appear via phone call in one memorable episode.
While Jenny settled in for a night of telly, she could be seen on the phone with her hubby as she asked: “Ray, can you do me a favour and pick up my prescription tomorrow?”
Though Ray did reply, he couldn’t hear Jenny, as she begged him: “Hold on a minute!”
The connection was lost shortly after – much to the disappointment of viewers.
Lee, meanwhile, is in a long-term relationship with his partner Steve – who he has been with for more than 30 years.
The pair have posed for a snap with Steve, though he has never formally appeared on the programme as he lives in Cyprus.
Dave and Shirley
(Image: @dave_shirl_gogglebox/Instagram)
Though fans might feel as though they know Welsh partners Shirley and Dave intimately, we’ve actually never seen their two children on Gogglebox.
The pair, who have been married for more than 40 years, share two adult children – son Simon, 42, and daughter Gemma, 34.
Their family home is also host to beloved French bulldog Blue – who does regularly appear on-screen.
Dave currently works as a cleaner at a factory, while Shirley makes a living in retail.
The Malones
The Malone family is made up of mum Julie, dad Tom and son Shaun, as well as their much-loved pet Rottweilers.
Their other son, Tom Jr, used to appear on the show but has since departed the cast.
But the Malone family is also made up of third son Lee, who runs a recruitment firm, and daughter Vanessa.
She briefly appeared on the show back in March 2021, and is the mum of Carsen – who has also appeared on the programme with her grandparents Julie and Tom.
Fans were shocked to see the youngster “steal the show” when he made a brief appearance, eating crisps surrounded by his family.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
