Gogglebox star Chris Ashby-Steed and Stephen Webb won the hearts of the nation when they appeared as original stars of the Channel 4 show back in 2013.
One of their best moments was when Chris claimed whilst watching a hard-hitting programme: “We all like a bad boy though, don’t we”.
A baffled Stephen replied: “Yeah, not a f***ing terrorist though Chris. There’s a bad boy and then there’s evil.”
The couple later split up but remained friends and carried on filming the show together – until they were locked into a bitter row.
Stephen and Chris appeared on the show together from 2013 to 2018 (Image: Channel 4)
Viewers remained unaware as the pair began having a series of off-screen rows, leading to Chris leaving the show and being replaced by Stephen’s new husband Daniel Lustig.
Chris lifted the lid on why he left the Channel 4 show back in 2018 after five years on the show.
At the time of his exit, Chris claimed that he left the show to pursue a TV career, later explaining that he and Stephen had planned to quit together to pursue the new profession.
The pair went their separate ways after a series of bitter rows which sparked a long-running feud (Image: PA)
However, Chris has now claimed Stephen “forced” him off Gogglebox, which he says has affected his mental health.
Following his exit in 2019, Chris spoke to the Mirror about his departure, claiming that Stephen ended their production deal with Channel 4 without talking to him about it first.
He said: “After he sent that email I didn’t speak to him for a little while because I was hurt by it.
Chris opened up about being “forced” off the show, revealing it left him struggling with his mental health (Image: mirror.co.uk)
“Then the studio called and said they would like to offer us the position back on Gogglebox.
“I spoke to Stephen and his attitude was ‘I’m not sure I can put up with you every other week filming’. Which was a bit of a blow.
“”I turned around to him and said, ‘I get the impression that I think a lot more of you than you do of me’. His reply was, ‘Yeah, you’re probably right.'”
Chris then claimed that the show’s producers claimed the popular pair could appear with new partners on alternate weeks, with Stephen bringing in his mum, before eventually Daniel.
However, Chris claims he was told that the partner he chose “wasn’t going to work”, and he decided it was time to say goodbye.
Chris addressed his claims on social media, writing: “A year on, I’ve finally had the courage to stand up to a bully and start to tell the story of how @Stephenwebb71 forced me off @C4Gogglebox and how it’s affected my mental health since.
“Hopefully, the truth of my story will help others who are struggling.”
A rep for Gogglebox told the Mirror: “Chris has not contacted us since he made the decision to leave the show.
“The duty of care of the Gogglebox contributors is of paramount importance.”
Chris has now been happily married to partner Tony, for three years, and recently shared all of their home renovations during lockdown.
Sharing a picture of their new garden summer house, Chris wrote: “Just love the way @tonyashbysteed and my #summerhouse is framed by so many wonderful #plants and we simply #adore the #colour… I might become a summerhouse designer lol.”
Gogglebox continues this Friday at 9pm on Channel 4.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
